Nicholas is a masculine given name that has been used widely in various cultures and languages around the world. It is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which is a compound of two words, "nikē" meaning "victory" and "laos" meaning "people". The name was popularized by Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop in Myra, who became known for his generosity and gift-giving. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children, sailors, and many other groups, and his feast day is celebrated on December 6th in many countries. The name Nicholas has been used in literature, movies, and popular culture, and is still a popular choice for parents naming their sons today.
Nicholas rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Nicholas
| Nick | nik | A shortened version of the name. |
| Nicky | nik-ee | A more informal version of the name. |
| Cole | kohl | A variation of the name that sounds similar. |
| Nico | nee-koh | A nickname that is more common in European countries. |
| Nik | nik | A shortened and more casual version of the name. |
| Nikko | nee-koh | A variation of the name that sounds exotic. |
| Nikolas | ni-koh-luhs | A more formal version of the name that is sometimes used as a nickname. |
Famous people named Nicholas
| Nicholas Cage | Acting | American actor and filmmaker |
| Nicholas Sparks | Writing | American romance novelist and screenwriter |
| Nicholas Hoult | Acting | English actor known for his roles in X-Men and Mad Max: Fury Road |
| Nicholas II | Russian Tsar | The last Emperor of Russia |
| Nicholas Kristof | Journalism | American journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner |
| Nicholas Brendon | Acting | American actor known for his role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer |
| Nicholas Colasanto | Acting | American actor known for his role in Cheers |
| Nicholas Roeg | Filmmaking | English film director and cinematographer |
| Nicholas McCarthy | Music | English classical guitarist and composer |
| Nicholas Parsons | Entertainment | English actor, comedian, and radio and television presenter. |
Fictional character called Nicholas from pop culture
| Nicholas Angel | Hot Fuzz | Protagonist of the 2007 action-comedy film Hot Fuzz |
| Nicholas Brody | Homeland | Protagonist of the TV series Homeland |
| Nicholas Flamel | Harry Potter | Alchemist and character in the Harry Potter book series |
| Nicholas Hoult | X-Men | Actor who played Beast in the X-Men film series |
| Nicholas Scratch | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Antagonist in the Sabrina the Teenage Witch comic book series |
| Nicholas Wilde | Zootopia | Protagonist in the 2016 animated film Zootopia |
Frequently Asked Questions about Nicholas
| What is the origin of the name Nicholas? | The name Nicholas is of Greek origin. |
| What is the meaning of the name Nicholas? | The name Nicholas means 'victory of the people'. |
| Is Nicholas a popular name? | Yes, Nicholas has been a popular name for centuries and is still commonly used today. |
| What are some famous people named Nicholas? | Some famous people named Nicholas include Nicholas Cage, Nicholas Sparks, and Saint Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus). |
| What are some variations of the name Nicholas? | Variations of the name Nicholas include Nick, Nico, Nikolai, and Nikita. |
| Is there a patron saint of Nicholas? | Yes, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of many things, including children, sailors, and merchants. |
| What is the nickname for Nicholas? | The most common nickname for Nicholas is Nick. |