Nicol Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NICK-uhl //ˈnɪk.əl//
Origin: Latin; Greek
Meaning: Latin: victory of the people; Greek: victory
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Nicol has its roots in the Greek name Nikolaos, which is composed of the elements 'nikē,' meaning 'victory,' and 'laos,' meaning 'people.' This name was adopted into Latin as Nicolaus and subsequently made its way into Old French as Nicolas. From Old French, it transitioned into Middle English as Nicol, which was used as both a given name and a surname.
The evolution of the name reflects the linguistic shifts and cultural exchanges that occurred throughout Europe during the medieval period. Historically, the name Nicol has been associated with several notable figures, including Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra, who became a prominent figure in Christian hagiography.
His legacy of generosity and miracles led to the establishment of his feast day on December 6, which has influenced various cultural traditions, including the modern figure of Santa Claus. The name gained further prominence through the translation of the Bible into various languages, including the King James Bible in the early 17th century, where the name appears in its Latin form.
Culturally, Nicol has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing kindness and benevolence due to its association with Saint Nicholas. The name has also been used in various diminutive forms, such as Nicky or Nikki, which have been popular in different cultures.
The enduring nature of Nicol can be attributed to its strong historical roots and the positive connotations associated with its etymological origins, making it a name that resonates across different cultures and eras.
Famous people named Nicol
Nicol Williamson was an actor best known for The Lion in Winter, Excalibur, and The Seven Percent Solution.
Nicol David is a retired squash player best known for being a multiple-time world champion and holding the world No. 1 ranking for a record 108 months.
Fictional characters named Nicol
Nicol Bolas is a fictional character from the trading card game Magic: The Gathering. He is a powerful dragon planeswalker known for his cunning and ambition to dominate the multiverse.
Nicol is a fictional character from the video game series Sonic the Hedgehog. They are a member of the Resistance and play a key role in the fight against Dr. Eggman.
Sibling suggestions
Similar names
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Nicol was first seen in the United States in 1956.
Nicol has ranked as high as #998 nationally, which occurred in 1970, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Nicol has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Nicol (2023)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1962 | 7 |
| 1963 | 10 |
| 1964 | 17 |
| 1965 | 11 |
| 1966 | 29 |
| 1967 | 29 |
| 1968 | 52 |
| 1969 | 107 |
| 1970 | 125 |
| 1971 | 102 |
| 1972 | 114 |
| 1973 | 89 |
| 1974 | 87 |
| 1975 | 65 |
| 1976 | 68 |
| 1977 | 53 |
| 1978 | 63 |
| 1979 | 42 |
| 1980 | 45 |
| 1981 | 35 |
| 1982 | 37 |
| 1983 | 31 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 30 |
| 1986 | 22 |
| 1987 | 20 |
| 1988 | 23 |
| 1989 | 34 |
| 1990 | 15 |
| 1991 | 22 |
| 1992 | 21 |
| 1993 | 20 |
| 1994 | 14 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 1997 | 11 |
| 1998 | 24 |
| 1999 | 27 |
| 2000 | 32 |
| 2001 | 30 |
| 2002 | 36 |
| 2003 | 29 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 30 |
| 2006 | 31 |
| 2007 | 25 |
| 2008 | 28 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 37 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 22 |