Nikita

Nikita for boys#4217 US

A multicultural choice, Nikita may alternatively have its roots in Hindi and Sanskrit, where it is used as a feminine choice meaning "home, habitation". This may contribute to some of its use as a feminine name in English speaking countries, however that may also be down to the 90s film and TV series, La Femme Nikita, its similarity to Nicola, and the perception of -a ending names as feminine.

Currently used as a gender neutral choice in the US, given to around 30 boys and 30 girls in a recent year, it once ranked in the Top 300 for girls in the 80s, likely following the release of Elton John's song, Nikita in 1985. The singer was aware it was a Russian masculine name, but it may have held appeal as an alternative to popular Nicole and Natasha.

These days, it might hold some sway as an alternative to Micah, Luca, Nicholas, and Nico instead, though it remains mostly popular in its native Russian. International forms include Ukrainian Mykyta and Belarusian Mikita (mee-kee-tuh) and the Greek Nikitas.

Nikita for girls#4524 US

Sharp and spiky with international potential, as a feminine name, Nikita has its roots in Hindi, Marathi, and ultimately Sanskrit. It comes from niketa, meaning "home, habitation", and may also be spelled as Nikitha.

Alternatively, it is a traditionally masculine name from its Russian roots, deriving from the Greek name Niketas, meaning "victory". It took on a new image, however, when it was used on the female spy/assassin in the movie and TV series La Femme Nikita back in the 90s.

Appearing in the US charts a few times back in the 70s, it had its peak in 1986, when it climbed nearly 700 places up the list, from #956 to #250. An impressive leap, but why? The song Nikita by Elton John (released towards the end of 1985) may well be the cause — and yes, the singer knew full well it was a Russian masculine name.

These days, Nikita is a gender neutral choice in the US, given to around 30 girls and 30 boys in a recent year. Elsewhere, the balance is different and it remains a popular masculine name in Russia and a familiar female choice in India.