What does Nicanor mean and where does it come from?
Nicanor is of Greek origin, known to mean 'the victorious one'. It has historical significance, and was notably borne by Nicanor of Alexandria, a minor character in biblical references. The name is more commonly found in Spain and Latin American countries today, where it holds connotations of succes
Cultural significance
Nicanor has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Greece-speaking communities, where it reflects values of the victorious one; 'conqueror'..
Peak popularity
Reached #2277 in 1954 — currently #10475 in the US.
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Related Reading
Greece-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Nicanor?
Nicanor works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Nicanor Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Nicanor Rose
Floral · soft ending
Nicanor Mae
Sweet · timeless
Nicanor Claire
French influence · crisp
Nicanor Jane
Literary · strong
Nicanor Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Nicanor right now?
Falling — down 2345 spots — currently #10475 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #10475 | 7 | ▼ down 2345 · -30% births |
| 2022 | #8130 | 10 | ▲ up 1300 · +25% births |
| 2021 | #9430 | 8 | ▲ up 1180 · +33% births |
| 2020 | #10610 | 6 | ▲ up 121 |
| 2015 | #10731 | 6 | ▼ down 1861 · -25% births |
| 2010 | #8870 | 8 | ▼ down 3262 · -43% births |
| 2005 | #5608 | 14 | ▲ up 24 · +17% births |
| 2000 | #5632 | 12 | ▼ down 783 |
| 1995 | #4849 | 12 | ▲ up 2447 · +100% births |
| 1990 | #7296 | 6 | ▼ down 2878 · -33% births |
| 1985 | #4418 | 9 | ▼ down 938 · -25% births |
| 1980 | #3480 | 12 | ▼ down 177 · +9% births |
| 1975 | #3303 | 11 | ▲ up 646 · +57% births |
| 1970 | #3949 | 7 | ▼ down 278 · +17% births |
| 1965 | #3671 | 6 | — |
The story of Nicanor
Nicanor entered American naming records in 1913 and has been in use for over 111 years. With 762 total births recorded, Nicanor remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4519 in 1920, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #10475 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Nicanor in 1954:
Nicanor by decade
Nicanor peaked in the 1950s. See all 1950s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1910s | 18 | |
| 1920s | 41 | |
| 1930s | 33 | |
| 1940s | 48 | |
| 1950s | 57 | |
| 1960s | 73 | |
| 1970s | 94 | |
| 1980s ★ | 117 | |
| 1990s | 110 | |
| 2000s | 111 | |
| 2010s | 54 | |
| 2020s | 6 | |
💎Nicanor has only 762 total recorded births since 1913 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Nicanor?
What names sound and feel like Nicanor?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Nicanor also consider these
How is Nicanor written in other languages?
What are the girl versions of Nicanor?
Common questions about the name Nicanor
What does the name Nicanor mean?
Nicanor means "the victorious one; 'conqueror'." — a name rooted in Greece tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Nicanor?
Nicanor is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Nicanor have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Nicanor?
Nicanor originates from Greece tradition. Greece names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Nicanor?
Nicanor is a three-syllable name pronounced N IH1 K AE1 N AO1 R. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Nicanor?
Nicanor pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Greece heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.