Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Nika
GirlGreek, Slavic· “victory (Greek); short for Veronika”
- Meaning
- victory (Greek); short for Veronika
- Origin
- Greek, Slavic
- Pronunciation
- NEE-kuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,200
- US babies 2025
- 50
- Best rank
- #2,378 (2017)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Nika
Nika is a Greek and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “victory (Greek); short for Veronika”.
Nika has more than one source. In Greek it is related to nike, "victory," the word that also names the goddess of victory, and nika was the cry of the Constantinople crowds during the Nika riots of the sixth century. In Slavic languages it is a short form of names such as Veronika and Dominika, and it is also used in Georgia as a boy's name. It is said NEE-kuh. The name is short and bright, and it works as a full name or as a nickname.
Popularity over time
Nika first appears in US Social Security records in 1961. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,378 in 2017, the same year it reached its highest count of 77 babies. In 2025, 50 babies were named Nika, and it ranked #3,200 nationally. That is 26% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,188 in 1980, #3,498 in 2000, #2,608 in 2010, and #3,200 in 2025. Of the 2,497 US girls named Nika since records began, 27% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 477 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aseel, Kambri, Joella, Brelynn, and Edyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nika ranked highest in Illinois and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #1569 | 5 |
| California | #2052 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Nika is usually pronounced NEE-kuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-ka”.
Middle names for Nika
A few middle names that flow with Nika: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nika
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Lists that include Nika
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nika mean?
Nika is a Greek and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “victory (Greek); short for Veronika”.
What is the origin of the name Nika?
Nika has Greek and Slavic roots. Nika has more than one source.
Is Nika a popular name?
Not especially. Nika ranked #3,200 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nika a boy or girl name?
Nika is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Nika?
Nika is usually pronounced NEE-kuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings