Nicolae

“Romanian”

Romania origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#13574US 2023

5Births / yr

↓Falling

143All-time births

📅 Since 200300

What does Nicolae mean and where does it come from?

Nicolae is the Romanian form of the name Nicholas, originating from Greek 'Nikolaos', which itself comes from 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people). The name has been historically popular in Romania and became well-known internationally due to the former Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu. It has been

Cultural significance

Nicolae has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Romania-speaking communities, where it reflects values of romanian.

Peak popularity

Reached #5229 in 2010 — currently #13574 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Nicolae?

Nicolae works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Nicolae Grace

How popular is Nicolae right now?

Falling — down 3989 spots — currently #13574 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2005–2023#13574 · Top 10%

2005

2010

2015

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#13574	5	▼ down 3989 · -37% births
2022	#9585	8	▼ down 1601 · -20% births
2021	#7984	10	▲ up 1324 · +25% births
2015	#9308	8	▼ down 4079 · -56% births
2010	#5229	18	▲ up 1849 · +64% births
2005	#7078	11	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Nicolae

Best Year2010Rank #5229

Peak Count18

Average Rank#8793

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range2005 - 20236 years

The story of Nicolae

Nicolae is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2003. With 143 total births recorded, Nicolae remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #7078 in 2005, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #13574 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Nicolae in 2010:

Jacob Ethan Michael Jayden William

💎Nicolae has only 143 total recorded births since 2003 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Nicolae?

CROATIAN

NikicaNikoNikša

DANISH

CaiCajClausKaiKajKayKlausNelsNielsNils

DUTCH

KaiKlaasNickNicoNiek

ENGLISH

ColinCollinNicNickNickyNik

What names sound and feel like Nicolae?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Nicolae also consider these

Nicolas

France · Νικόλαος (Nikolaos)

Nicola

Italy · victory of the

Nicholas

Greece · victory of the

Nikolai

Russia · Victory of the

Nikolas

Greece · victory of the

Nikolay

Russia · victor of the

Nijae

American · A variant of

Finlae

Irish · A Irish name

How is Nicolae written in other languages?

Common questions about the name Nicolae

What does the name Nicolae mean?

Nicolae means "Romanian" — a name rooted in Romania 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 Nicolae?

Nicolae is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.

What is the cultural origin of Nicolae?

Nicolae originates from Romania tradition. Romania names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

What sibling names go well with Nicolae?

Nicolae pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Romania heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.

Is Nicolae a common or rare name?

Nicolae is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.