William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Nikita
UnisexRussian, Greek· “unconquered”
- Meaning
- unconquered
- Origin
- Russian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- nih-KEE-tuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #4,217
- US babies 2025
- 25
- Best rank
- #1,429 (2008)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Nikita
Nikita is a Russian and Greek name that means “unconquered”.
In Russian, Nikita is a traditional masculine name derived from the Greek Aniketos, meaning unconquered. It came to Russia with Orthodox Christianity through the veneration of Saint Nikita, and it has long been a standard boys' name there; Nikita Khrushchev is its best-known historical bearer. In English-speaking countries, the ending -a led many people to hear it as feminine, and it has been used for girls as well. That dual identity makes Nikita genuinely unisex today. It has a strong, rhythmic sound, and Niki or Kit work well as shorter forms.
Popularity over time
Nikita first appears in US Social Security records in 1959. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,429 in 2008, the same year it reached its highest count of 117 babies. In 2025, 25 babies were named Nikita, and it ranked #4,217 nationally. That is 73% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,394 in 1980, #1,842 in 2000, #1,556 in 2010, and #4,217 in 2025. Of the 2,890 US boys named Nikita since records began, 29% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 842 babies. Since 2010, 1,155 more have been named Nikita.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Amauri, Kimani, Kaedyn, Adair, and Kemari.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nikita ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2697 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Nikita is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 50% of US babies named Nikita were girls and 50% were boys.
Nikita is usually pronounced nih-KEE-tuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with N and ends in “-ta”.
Middle names for Nikita
A few middle names that flow with Nikita: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nikita
Similar names
Calista Girl
kuh-LIHS-tuh
“most beautiful” · Greek
#1,597
Nakita Girl
nuh-KEE-tuh
“variant of Nikita, unconquered” · Russian
rare
Jacinta Girl
juh-SIN-tuh
“hyacinth” · Spanish
#4,397
Dimitri Boy
dih-MEE-tree
“follower of Demeter” · Russian
#1,101
Irina Girl
ih-REE-nuh
“Russian form of Irene, peace” · Russian
#1,636
Yelena Girl
yeh-LAY-nuh
“Russian form of Helen” · Russian
#1,807
Arina Girl
uh-REE-nuh
“Russian form of Irina, "peace"” · Russian
#2,654
Dmitri Boy
duh-MEE-tree
“devoted to Demeter” · Russian
#3,465
Nikolai Boy
NIH-kuh-ly
“victory of the people” · Russian
#605
Lupita Girl
loo-PEE-tuh
“pet form of Guadalupe” · Spanish
#3,232
Alexa Girl
uh-LEK-suh
“defender of men” · Greek
#1,029
Dakota Unisex
duh-KOH-tuh
“friend, ally” · Native American
#296
Lists that include Nikita
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nikita mean?
Nikita is a Russian and Greek name that means “unconquered”.
What is the origin of the name Nikita?
Nikita has Russian and Greek roots. In Russian, Nikita is a traditional masculine name derived from the Greek Aniketos, meaning unconquered.
Is Nikita a popular name?
Not especially. Nikita ranked #4,217 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nikita a boy or girl name?
Nikita is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 50% of US babies named Nikita were girls and 50% were boys.
How do you pronounce Nikita?
Nikita is usually pronounced nih-KEE-tuh. 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