Nikola Unisex

Popularity: #836 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NEE-koh-lah /ˈniː.kə.lɑː/

Origin: Slavic; Greek

Meaning: Victory of the people (Slavic); Nicholas (Greek)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Nikola has its roots in the Greek name Nikolaos, which is composed of the elements 'nikē' meaning 'victory' and 'laos' meaning 'people.' This etymological foundation reflects a meaning of 'victory of the people.' The name was adopted into Latin as Nicolaus and subsequently made its way into various languages, including Old French as Nicolas, before entering the English lexicon as Nicholas. The transition into English occurred around the 12th century, largely through the influence of the Norman Conquest, which brought many Latin-derived names into the English-speaking world.

Historically, the name Nikola is closely associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra in present-day Turkey, who became a prominent figure in Christian tradition. His legendary acts of generosity and miracles led to his veneration as a saint, and he became the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.

The feast day of Saint Nicholas, celebrated on December 6, became a significant occasion in many Christian cultures, further embedding the name in religious and cultural contexts. The name's association with this saint was solidified through various translations of the Bible and hagiographies throughout the Middle Ages.

Culturally, Nikola has resonated through various traditions and has been linked to themes of benevolence and protection. The name has been borne by notable historical figures, including Nikola Tesla, the inventor and electrical engineer, whose contributions to modern technology have left a lasting legacy.

In some cultures, diminutive forms such as Niko or Nick have emerged, reflecting the name's adaptability and enduring appeal. The name Nikola continues to evoke a sense of strength and community, rooted in its historical and linguistic heritage.

Famous people named Nikola

In this section, you will find notable people named Nikola. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Nikola who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Nikola who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Nikola Tesla is an inventor and electrical engineer best known for the development of alternating current, the Tesla coil, and contributions to the design of the modern electrical supply system.

Nikola Jokic is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Denver Nuggets and winning the NBA MVP award.

Fictional characters named Nikola

The following list of fictional characters named Nikola 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.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Nikola Tesla is a fictional character from the comic book series The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He is portrayed as a brilliant inventor and scientist who possesses extraordinary abilities and knowledge.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Nikola, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MiloLukaDanteSashaLeoMarko

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Nikola. 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.

NikolaiNikoMiloLukaDanteNikitaNiles

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Nikola was first seen in the United States in 1948.

Nikola has ranked as high as #2537 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in Illinois, California, New York, Florida, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Nikola has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Nikola 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 Nikola 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 Nikola.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 109 102 7
2024 114 108 6
2023 132 126 6
2022 134 125 9
2021 159 147 12
2020 159 151 8
2019 152 134 18
2018 158 148 10
2017 141 132 9
2016 150 132 18
2015 157 141 16
2014 133 120 13
2013 121 110 11
2012 114 102 12
2011 106 97 9
2010 97 81 16
2009 92 81 11
2008 99 88 11
2007 76 65 11
2006 82 71 11
2005 77 61 16
2004 83 73 10
2003 59 54 5
2002 69 59 10
2001 86 76 10
2000 77 64 13
1999 65 56 9
1998 56 45 11
1997 46 38 8
1996 56 41 15
1995 50 40 10
1994 62 50 12
1993 56 46 10
1992 36 26 10
1991 39 29 10
1990 39 34 5
1989 36 27 9
1988 20 20 0
1987 27 16 11
1986 12 12 0
1985 29 22 7
1984 25 17 8
1983 25 13 12
1982 37 26 11
1981 26 19 7
1980 27 20 7
1979 31 19 12
1978 33 20 13
1977 35 19 16
1976 25 14 11
1975 36 18 18
1974 27 13 14
1973 26 7 19
1972 34 14 20
1971 22 9 13
1970 29 12 17
1969 17 8 9
1968 11 6 5
1967 8 0 8
1966 15 9 6
1965 7 0 7
1964 12 7 5
1962 12 12 0
1961 7 7 0
1960 5 5 0
1948 5 0 5

Top States for Nikola (2024)

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 20
30%
IL 10
15%
NY 8
12%
MA 6
9%
MI 6
9%
OH 6
9%
FL 6
9%
TX 5
7%