Nicholai
2025 SSA
About Nicholai
Nicholai is a masculine name representing the Russian and Eastern European variant of Nicholas. Derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, it combines the elements 'nike' meaning 'victory' and 'laos' meaning 'people,' thus signifying 'victory of the people.' Nicholai carries a sophisticated European flair while maintaining the familiar roots of the more common Nicholas. The spelling with 'ai' ending gives it a distinctive Slavic character that sets it apart. While not extremely common in English-speaking countries, it has gained appreciation among parents seeking names with international heritage and classical origins. The name conjures images of Russian literature and culture, lending it an intellectual and artistic association.
Pronounced nik-uh-LY.
As of October 2026, Nicholai ranked #7075 for boys in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2499 for boys in 2010.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #3,666 | 29 | 15.1 |
| 2015 | #3,067 | 38 | 19.8 |
| 2016 | #3,413 | 33 | 17.4 |
| 2017 | #2,520 | 51 | 27.6 |
| 2018 | #3,676 | 30 | 16.5 |
| 2019 | #3,775 | 29 | 16.2 |
| 2020 | #4,110 | 25 | 14.5 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |