Nicodemus Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: nik-oh-DEE-muhs /nɪkəˈdiːməs/
Origin: Greek; Hebrew
Meaning: Greek: victorious people; Hebrew: the glory of the people
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Nicodemus has its roots in the Greek name Νικοδήμος (Nikodemos), which is derived from the elements 'nike' meaning 'victory' and 'demos' meaning 'people.' This etymological composition suggests a literal meaning of 'victory of the people.' The name entered the English language through the Latin form Nicodemus, which was used in early Christian texts and subsequently adopted into Old French before making its way into Middle English. The transition reflects the broader influence of Greek and Latin on the development of English, particularly through religious texts and the spread of Christianity in Europe.
Historically, Nicodemus is most notably recognized as a figure in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of John, where he appears as a Pharisee who visits Jesus at night to discuss his teachings. This encounter, which takes place in the 1st century CE, has led to Nicodemus being associated with themes of enlightenment and the search for truth.
Additionally, he is often depicted as a symbol of the struggle between faith and doubt, as he navigates his beliefs in a challenging religious environment. His presence in biblical narratives has ensured that the name has been carried through centuries of Christian tradition.
Culturally, the name Nicodemus has resonated within various Christian communities, often symbolizing wisdom and the pursuit of understanding. The name has also been used in literature and art, reinforcing its significance in Western culture.
In some traditions, diminutive forms such as Nico have emerged, although these are less historically prominent. Overall, the enduring legacy of Nicodemus reflects both its linguistic heritage and its deep-rooted connections to pivotal religious narratives.
Fictional characters named Nicodemus
The following list of fictional characters named Nicodemus is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
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Nicodemus is a fictional character from the novel and film The Secret of NIMH. He is a wise and elderly rat who helps the protagonist, Mrs. Brisby, in her quest to save her family.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Nicodemus, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Nicodemus. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Nicodemus was first seen in the United States in 1924.
Nicodemus has ranked as high as #5806 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Nicodemus has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Nicodemus is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Nicodemus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Nicodemus.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 45 | 45 |
| 2024 | 35 | 35 |
| 2023 | 37 | 37 |
| 2022 | 48 | 48 |
| 2021 | 39 | 39 |
| 2020 | 39 | 39 |
| 2019 | 32 | 32 |
| 2018 | 32 | 32 |
| 2017 | 36 | 36 |
| 2016 | 26 | 26 |
| 2015 | 30 | 30 |
| 2014 | 37 | 37 |
| 2013 | 32 | 32 |
| 2012 | 25 | 25 |
| 2011 | 27 | 27 |
| 2010 | 26 | 26 |
| 2009 | 24 | 24 |
| 2008 | 20 | 20 |
| 2007 | 30 | 30 |
| 2006 | 29 | 29 |
| 2005 | 33 | 33 |
| 2004 | 22 | 22 |
| 2003 | 31 | 31 |
| 2002 | 30 | 30 |
| 2001 | 29 | 29 |
| 2000 | 26 | 26 |
| 1999 | 23 | 23 |
| 1998 | 19 | 19 |
| 1997 | 23 | 23 |
| 1996 | 27 | 27 |
| 1995 | 14 | 14 |
| 1994 | 31 | 31 |
| 1993 | 19 | 19 |
| 1992 | 22 | 22 |
| 1991 | 7 | 7 |
| 1990 | 12 | 12 |
| 1988 | 5 | 5 |
| 1987 | 6 | 6 |
| 1986 | 7 | 7 |
| 1985 | 7 | 7 |
| 1982 | 5 | 5 |
| 1981 | 11 | 11 |
| 1980 | 13 | 13 |
| 1979 | 5 | 5 |
| 1978 | 7 | 7 |
| 1976 | 11 | 11 |
| 1975 | 9 | 9 |
| 1973 | 6 | 6 |
| 1971 | 5 | 5 |
| 1924 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Nicodemus (2022)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |