William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Nikolai
BoyRussian, Greek· “victory of the people”
- Meaning
- victory of the people
- Origin
- Russian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- NIH-kuh-ly
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #605
- US babies 2025
- 469
- Best rank
- #474 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2016
Meaning and origin of Nikolai
Nikolai is a Russian and Greek name that means “victory of the people”.
Nikolai is the Russian form of Nicholas, from the Greek Nikolaos, combining nike, "victory", and laos, "people". Saint Nicholas of Myra, the fourth-century bishop behind the Santa Claus tradition, made the name hugely popular in the Orthodox world. Two Russian emperors bore it, including Nicholas II, the last tsar, known in Russian as Nikolai. Famous bearers also include the writer Nikolai Gogol and the composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Nikolai sounds strong and romantic in English, with a distinctly Slavic flavor. Niko and Kolya are common nicknames.
Popularity over time
Nikolai first appears in US Social Security records in 1960. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 19 different years, starting in 2007. Its best national rank was #474 in 2018, and the most babies received it in 2016, when 639 were named Nikolai. In 2025, 469 babies were named Nikolai, and it ranked #605 nationally. That is 25% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,098 in 1980, #1,513 in 2000, #734 in 2010, and #605 in 2025. Of the 11,027 US boys named Nikolai since records began, 46% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 3,057 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Pierce, Raylan, Johan, Moses, and Nixon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nikolai ranked highest in New Mexico, Nebraska, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #259 | 8 |
| Nebraska | #369 | 7 |
| Connecticut | #430 | 7 |
| Florida | #447 | 42 |
| Pennsylvania | #450 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Nikolai is usually pronounced NIH-kuh-ly, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with N and ends in “-ai”.
Middle names for Nikolai
A few middle names that flow with Nikolai: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nikolai
Similar names
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Lists that include Nikolai
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nikolai mean?
Nikolai is a Russian and Greek name that means “victory of the people”.
What is the origin of the name Nikolai?
Nikolai has Russian and Greek roots. Nikolai is the Russian form of Nicholas, from the Greek Nikolaos, combining nike, "victory", and laos, "people".
Is Nikolai a popular name?
Yes. Nikolai ranked #605 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Nikolai a boy or girl name?
Nikolai is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Nikolai?
Nikolai is usually pronounced NIH-kuh-ly. 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