N
NamyLab

Nikolai

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Victory of the People"

Slavic form of Nicholas from Greek Nikólaos, combining victory and people, common in Eastern Christian contexts.

Themes:victorypeopleorthodox
StrongPowerfulBold

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Nikolai

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#589Top 1000

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#589

Nikolai was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+16

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Nikolai Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Nikolai.

11 ideas
Niko
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Nik
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Kolya
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niky
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niko
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nie
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ny
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no
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olai
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laiy
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ni
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Baby Name Lists That Include Nikolai

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Nikolai, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

21 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Nikolai mean?
Nikolai means "Victory of the People". Slavic form of Nicholas from Greek Nikólaos, combining victory and people, common in Eastern Christian contexts.
What is the origin of Nikolai?
Nikolai is of Russian origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Nikolai?
According to the latest SSA data, Nikolai is currently ranked #589 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Nikolai a boy name?
Nikolai is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Nikolai?
Popular nicknames for Nikolai include Niko, Nik, Kolya, niky, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Nikolai?
There are many names similar to Nikolai in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginRussian, Greek
Syllables3
Length7 letters
US Rank#589
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withN

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Nikolai

Nikolai has Russian roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Russian baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Nikolai appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Classic Greek Baby Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Nikolai pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Nikolai beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.