Nikolaus Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Nikolaus originates from Greek, meaning 'victory of the people.' It evolved from Nikolaos to its modern forms, including Nicholas. The name is associated with traits of generosity and kindness, largely due to the historical figure of Saint Nicholas. It has no direct biblical relevance but holds significance in Christian tradition. The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages and continues to be well-regarded today, often linked to positive cultural imagery.
The name Nikolaus is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) 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, Nikolaus 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, 'Nikolaus' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7552nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2229th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1251st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2192nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3972nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Nikolaus' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Nikolaus"
Pronunciation
/ˈnɪkəˌlaʊs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Nikolaus is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which means 'victory of the people.' It is composed of the elements 'nike' meaning 'victory' and 'laos' meaning 'people.'
Meaning
Victory of the people
Language Evolution
Nikolaos (Ancient Greek), Nikolaus (Latinized form), Nicholas (English, Modern form)
Historical Usage
Nikolaus gained popularity in the Christian tradition due to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity. This led to the name becoming widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Variants & Derivatives
Nicholas, Nicolas, Nicola, Cole, Nick
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Nikolaus is often associated with Christmas traditions due to the figure of Santa Claus, who is based on Saint Nicholas. It is perceived as a traditional yet timeless name.
Famous People
Saint Nicholas of Myra, Nikolaus Copernicus, Nikola Tesla, Nikolaus Schneider
Explore More Nikolaus Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Nikolaus"
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 "Nikolaus"
"Nikolaus" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7552nd of 7552 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2229th of 10718 | 290 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1251st of 16616 | 1,138 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2192nd of 24088 | 879 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3972nd of 23106 | 319 |
Regional Popularity of "Nikolaus" 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) |
47.84% 1405th/2937 |
52.74% 1837th/3483 |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
45.15% 1826th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
32.94% 1214th/3685 |
35.13% 1572nd/4475 |
43.01% 2234th/5194 |
17.48% 1104th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
48.47% 2221st/4582 |
51.10% 2639th/5164 |
31.59% 2310th/7313 |
29.80% 2224th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
63.97% 4364th/6822 |
54.14% 3398th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Nikolaus" 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 "Nikolaus"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Nikolaus" 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.