Nikolai
Nikolai is a boy's name of Slavic origin.
Meaning
Victory of the people.
Origin and history
Nikolai is the East Slavic variation of the Greek name Nicholas, meaning victory of the people. It has been a classic and noble name in Eastern Europe for centuries. In the United States, it has seen steady growth as a stylish alternative to Nicholas.
Popularity in the United States
11,027 babies in the United States have been named Nikolai since 1880. It ranks #1132 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #559.
States where it is most popular
- CA (18.7 %)
- TX (11.5 %)
- FL (8.1 %)
- NY (5.8 %)
- PA (3.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 52 |
| 1970-1980 | 202 |
| 1980-1990 | 291 |
| 1990-2000 | 733 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,632 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,060 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,057 |
Famous people named Nikolai
- Nikolai Tesla: Inventor, Electrical Engineer
- Nikolai Gogol: Writer, Playwright
- Nikolai Ehlers: Athlete, Ice Hockey Player
Nicknames
Niko, Kolya, Niki
Fun facts
- Nikolai was borne by two Russian tsars, including Nikolai II, the last Emperor of Russia.
- Nikolai Gogol was a landmark 19th-century playwright and novelist whose works shaped Slavic literature.