William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Niko
BoyGreek, Finnish· “victory of the people”
- Meaning
- victory of the people
- Origin
- Greek, Finnish
- Pronunciation
- NEE-koh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #325
- US babies 2025
- 1,046
- Best rank
- #287 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Niko
Niko is a Greek and Finnish name that means “victory of the people”.
Niko is a short form of Nikolaos, the Greek source of Nicholas, which combines nike, "victory", and laos, "people". It is used as an independent name in Finland, Greece, Croatia, Germany and several other countries, and Nico is the usual Italian and Spanish spelling. Saint Nicholas, the fourth-century bishop whose generosity inspired Santa Claus, stands behind the whole family of names. In the United States Niko has grown as a fresh, international alternative to Nicholas. It is short, energetic and easy to pronounce in many languages, and it needs no nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Nico, Nikko.
Popularity over time
Niko first appears in US Social Security records in 1962. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 34 different years, starting in 1989. Its best national rank was #287 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,192 babies. In 2025, 1,046 babies were named Niko, and it ranked #325 nationally. That is 146% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #6,021 in 1980, #1,038 in 2000, #789 in 2010, and #325 in 2025. Of the 14,629 US boys named Niko since records began, 43% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 4,455 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ali, Hendrix, Cairo, Onyx, and Atticus.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Niko ranked highest in Alaska, Delaware, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #134 | 7 |
| Delaware | #136 | 8 |
| New Mexico | #144 | 14 |
| California | #201 | 185 |
| Connecticut | #208 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Niko over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Niko is usually pronounced NEE-koh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-ko”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Nico and Nikko.
Middle names for Niko
A few middle names that flow with Niko: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Niko
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Lists that include Niko
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Niko mean?
Niko is a Greek and Finnish name that means “victory of the people”.
What is the origin of the name Niko?
Niko has Greek and Finnish roots. Niko is a short form of Nikolaos, the Greek source of Nicholas, which combines nike, "victory", and laos, "people".
Is Niko a popular name?
Yes. Niko ranked #325 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Niko a boy or girl name?
Niko is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Niko over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Niko?
Niko is usually pronounced NEE-koh. 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