About the name Nikolai
Nikolai is a boy name with Russian roots, meaning “Victory of the people”. It is related to Nicholas, which is where the meaning comes from.
It has a classic feel. In 2025, Nikolai ranked #605 for boys in the US, with 469 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2016. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Nikolai were boys.
Etymology
Equivalent to Nicholas, which comes from Ancient Greek, meaning “victory” + “people”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Nikolai”, “Nicholas”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #605
- In 2015
- #476
- Babies in 2025
- 469
Popularity of Nikolai, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
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Nikolai
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The Baby Kit
See Nikolai on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Nikolai. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Nikolai
- Niko
Names similar to Nikolai
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.