Klaus Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Klaus is a German diminutive of Nikolaus, derived from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people'. The name evolved through various languages, including Latin and Old French. It has historical significance due to its connection with Saint Nicholas, gaining popularity during the Middle Ages. Today, Klaus is often associated with festive imagery and has several variants like Nikolaus and Nicholas, with notable figures contributing to its recognition.
The name Klaus is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Klaus has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Klaus' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2634th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2320th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4782nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6701st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2523rd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Klaus' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Klaus"
Pronunciation
/klaʊs/
Origin
German
Etymology
Klaus is a diminutive of the name Nikolaus, which derives from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people'.
Meaning
Victory of the people
Language Evolution
Nikolaos (Greek), Nicolaus (Latin), Nicholas (Old French), Klaus (German)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly due to the veneration of Saint Nicholas.
Variants & Derivatives
Nikolaus, Nicholas, Nick, Nico
Modern Popularity & Image
Klaus is primarily recognized in German-speaking countries and is often associated with a traditional or festive image, particularly around Christmas due to its association with Santa Claus, a derivation of Saint Nicholas.
Famous People
Klaus Schwab (Founder of the World Economic Forum), Klaus Meine (Lead singer of the Scorpions), Klaus Barbie (Nazi war criminal)
Explore More Klaus Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Klaus"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Klaus"
"Klaus" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2634th of 7552 | 185 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2320th of 10718 | 271 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4782nd of 16616 | 155 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6701st of 24088 | 169 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2523rd of 23106 | 628 |
Regional Popularity of "Klaus" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
58.63% 1722nd/2937 |
46.31% 1613th/3483 |
- |
40.63% 1643rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
56.58% 2254th/3984 |
79.30% 3558th/4487 |
48.15% 3285th/6822 |
35.95% 2256th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Klaus" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Klaus"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Klaus" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.