Nicholas
Say it: NIK-o-las/ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/
BoyMeans victory of the people8 letters3 syllables
#198
in Ireland (2025)
#199 with spellings combined
24
babies in 2025
#58
best rank (1964)
3,608
babies since 1964
Down 74
10-year rank change
Nicholas through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24 | #199 |
| 2024 | 31 | #158 |
| 2023 | 31 | #163 |
| 2022 | 37 | #155 |
| 2021 | 21 | #226 |
| 2020 | 30 | #174 |
| 2019 | 45 | #132 |
| 2018 | 40 | #150 |
| 2017 | 34 | #175 |
| 2016 | 53 | #125 |
| 2015 | 53 | #125 |
| 2014 | 47 | #136 |
| 2013 | 47 | #135 |
| 2012 | 47 | #148 |
| 2011 | 47 | #149 |
| 2010 | 45 | #156 |
| 2009 | 31 | #185 |
| 2008 | 49 | #143 |
| 2007 | 44 | #143 |
| 2006 | 36 | #147 |
| 2005 | 37 | #138 |
| 2004 | 33 | #139 |
| 2003 | 27 | #150 |
| 2002 | 36 | #127 |
| 2001 | 25 | #145 |
| 2000 | 29 | #135 |
| 1999 | 37 | #116 |
| 1998 | 32 | #118 |
| 1997 | 46 | #109 |
| 1996 | 36 | #127 |
| 1995 | 34 | #129 |
| 1994 | 51 | #104 |
| 1993 | 55 | #101 |
| 1992 | 38 | #126 |
| 1991 | 63 | #95 |
| 1990 | 81 | #82 |
| 1989 | 85 | #77 |
| 1988 | 87 | #77 |
| 1987 | 63 | #92 |
| 1986 | 62 | #93 |
| 1985 | 83 | #82 |
| 1984 | 83 | #79 |
| 1983 | 88 | #78 |
| 1982 | 75 | #85 |
| 1981 | 89 | #80 |
| 1980 | 84 | #83 |
| 1979 | 95 | #81 |
| 1978 | 75 | #87 |
| 1977 | 99 | #77 |
| 1976 | 81 | #88 |
| 1975 | 88 | #83 |
| 1974 | 84 | #86 |
| 1973 | 88 | #88 |
| 1972 | 95 | #79 |
| 1971 | 84 | #85 |
| 1970 | 78 | #81 |
| 1969 | 78 | #75 |
| 1968 | 89 | #67 |
| 1967 | 67 | #77 |
| 1966 | 89 | #63 |
| 1965 | 75 | #65 |
| 1964 | 92 | #58 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Nicholas mean?
Victory of the people
Greek, from Nikolaos, from nike (victory) and laos (people).
Say it right
NIKolas
The story of Nicholas
Nicholas comes from the Greek Nikolaos, made of nike (victory) and laos (people). It reached English through Latin and Old French. The name spread across Christian Europe with the fame of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the bishop on whom Father Christmas and Santa Claus are based.
Colin, Nicol and Klaus all grew from the same name, and Nick, Nicky and Nico are its usual short forms.
Nicholas was a steady choice in Ireland for decades. It was number 58 in 1964, and the most babies came in 1977, with 99. It has drifted down the list since then, and in 2025, 24 boys were named Nicholas.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Nicholas (English proper noun)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
ChristopherDominicSebastianAnthony
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
NickNickyNico
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Nicholas | 24 | 3,608 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #104 (2000); 289 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.