Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Niki
GirlEnglish, Greek· “pet form of Nicole or Nikita”
- Meaning
- pet form of Nicole or Nikita
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- NIK-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #8,214
- US babies 2025
- 13
- Best rank
- #627 (1972)
- Peak year
- 1972
Meaning and origin of Niki
Niki is an English and Greek name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Nicole or Nikita”.
Niki is a pet form of Nicole, Nikita and other names beginning with Nik-, most of which go back to the Greek Nikolaos, "victory of the people," or directly to nike, "victory." In Greek it also works as a name on its own. Niki is used for girls in English-speaking countries, while in German-speaking countries it can be a boys' nickname; the Austrian racing driver Niki Lauda, born Andreas Nikolaus, is the best-known example. It is said NIK-ee. Nikki and Nicky are other spellings, and the single k gives Niki a slightly more European look.
Other spellings with the same sound: Nikki, Nicky, Nicki, Nickey.
Popularity over time
Niki first appears in US Social Security records in 1932. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 16 different years, starting in 1970. Its best national rank was #627 in 1972, the same year it reached its highest count of 248 babies. In 2025, 13 babies were named Niki, and it ranked #8,214 nationally. That is 38% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,025 in 1950, #829 in 1980, #2,532 in 2000, #4,374 in 2010, and #8,214 in 2025. Of the 7,048 US girls named Niki since records began, 27% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 1,559 babies. Since 2010, 338 more have been named Niki.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Trena, Sharla, Cher, Candida, and Anjanette.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Niki is usually pronounced NIK-ee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-ki”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Nikki, Nicky, Nicki, and Nickey.
Middle names for Niki
A few middle names that flow with Niki: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Niki
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Lists that include Niki
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Niki mean?
Niki is an English and Greek name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Nicole or Nikita”.
What is the origin of the name Niki?
Niki has English and Greek roots. Niki is a pet form of Nicole, Nikita and other names beginning with Nik-, most of which go back to the Greek Nikolaos, "victory of the people," or directly to nike, "victory." In Greek it also works as a name on its own.
Is Niki a popular name?
Not especially. Niki ranked #8,214 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Niki a boy or girl name?
Niki is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Niki?
Niki is usually pronounced NIK-ee. 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