Nicole
“Victory of the people”
French origin · Girl name
#327US 2023
941Births / yr
→Stable
591.7kAll-time births
📅 Since 1937🏆 40 years in top 1001.28% of births at peak
How to pronounce Nicole
nik·OHL
/nɪk.ˈoʊl/ · stress on OHL · 2 syllables
“Victory of the people”
French origin · Girl name
What does Nicole mean and where does it come from?
Nicole is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos (Νικολαος), meaning 'victory of the people' (νίκη - 'victory' + λαός - 'people'). The name became popular in France after the 12th century and has since been widely adopted in English and Italian-speaking countries. It has been a popular name for girls
Cultural significance
Nicole has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in French-speaking communities, where it reflects values of victory of the people.
Peak popularity
Reached #6 in 1982 — currently #327 in the US.
How else can you spell Nicole?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Nicole?
Nicole works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Nicole Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Nicole Rose
Floral · soft ending
Nicole Mae
Sweet · timeless
Nicole Claire
French influence · crisp
Nicole Jane
Literary · strong
Nicole Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Nicole right now?
Holding steady — currently #327 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Nicole
Nicole entered American naming records in 1937 and has been in use for over 87 years. It peaked at #6 in 1982, placing it among the top 10 most popular names. Over 592K babies have been given this name — a true American classic. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #1590 in 1940 to #327 in 2023. Nicole is used for both genders: 100% female and 0% male.
Names that peaked alongside Nicole in 1982:
Nicole by decade
Nicole peaked in the 1980s. See all 1980s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 28 | |
| 1940s | 616 | |
| 1950s | 1,313 | |
| 1960s | 18,642 | |
| 1970s | 145,308 | |
| 1980s ★ | 211,302 | |
| 1990s | 136,374 | |
| 2000s | 54,686 | |
| 2010s | 22,273 | |
| 2020s | 1,149 |
What are good nicknames for Nicole?
BULGARIAN
Nikolina
CROATIAN
LinaNikolina
DUTCH
KlasinaKlazinaNicoletNicoline
ENGLISH
NickyNikki
Famous people named Nicole
N(
Nicole (French philosopher)
Nicole carried this name in the Enlightenment tradition that shaped modern Western thought.
N(
Nicole (French impressionist artist)
Nicole used this name in the rich tradition of French visual arts and culture.
N(
Nicole (medieval French noble)
Nicole held this name in the courts of medieval France, from which it spread across Europe with the Normans.
N(
Nicole (French author)
Nicole immortalized this name in French literature, one of the world's great literary traditions.
What names sound and feel like Nicole?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Nicole also consider these
How is Nicole written in other languages?
What are the boy versions of Nicole?
Nicolaus ANCIENT GREEKNikolaos ANCIENT GREEKNikola BASQUENikola BULGARIANNikolai BULGARIANNikolay BULGARIANNicolau CATALANNikica CROATIANNiko CROATIANNikola CROATIANNikša CROATIANMikoláš CZECHMikula CZECHMikuláš CZECHNikola CZECHCai DANISHCaj DANISHClaus DANISHKai DANISHKaj DANISHKay DANISHKlaus DANISHNels DANISHNiels DANISHNiklas DANISHNikolaj DANISHNils DANISHKai DUTCHKlaas DUTCHNick DUTCHNico DUTCHNicolaas DUTCHNiek DUTCHNikolaas DUTCHColin ENGLISHCollin ENGLISHNic ENGLISHNicholas ENGLISHNick ENGLISHNickolas ENGLISHNicky ENGLISHNik ENGLISHNikolas ENGLISHNiĉjo ESPERANTONikolao ESPERANTONigul ESTONIANKai FINNISHKlaus FINNISHLauno FINNISHNiilo FINNISHNiklas FINNISHNiko FINNISHNicolas FRENCHKai FRISIANKay FRISIANKlaes FRISIANNicolau GALICIANNika GEORGIANNikoloz GEORGIANNikusha GEORGIANSWISS(Niklaus GERMANClaus GERMANKai GERMANKay GERMANKlaus GERMANNickolaus GERMANNico GERMANNicolaus GERMANNiklas GERMANNikolaus GERMANNicolaos GREEKNik GREEKNikolaos GREEKNikolas GREEKKolos HUNGARIANMiklós HUNGARIANMiksa HUNGARIANNioclás IRISHNiccolò ITALIANNico ITALIANNicola ITALIANNicolao ITALIANNicolò ITALIANNikolajs LATVIANKlaos LIMBURGISHKlaas LOW GERMANNikola MACEDONIANNikolche MACEDONIANNikora MAORICol MEDIEVAL ENGLISHNichol MEDIEVAL ENGLISHNicol MEDIEVAL ENGLISHNikola MEDIEVAL SLAVICCai NORWEGIANCaj NORWEGIANKai NORWEGIANKaj NORWEGIANKay NORWEGIANKlaus NORWEGIANNiklas NORWEGIANNils NORWEGIANMikołaj POLISHNico PORTUGUESENicolau PORTUGUESENeculai ROMANIANNicolae ROMANIANNicu ROMANIANNicușor ROMANIANKolya RUSSIANNikolai RUSSIANNikolay RUSSIANNeacel SCOTTISHNichol SCOTTISHNicol SCOTTISHNikica SERBIANNikola SERBIANMikuláš SLOVAKMiklavž SLOVENENik SLOVENENiko SLOVENENikola SLOVENENikolaj SLOVENENico SPANISHNicolás SPANISHCai SWEDISHCaj SWEDISHClaes SWEDISHKai SWEDISHKaj SWEDISHKay SWEDISHKlas SWEDISHNiklas SWEDISHNils SWEDISHMykola UKRAINIAN
Common questions about the name Nicole
What does the name Nicole mean?
Nicole means "Victory of the people" — a name rooted in French 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 Nicole?
Nicole is currently ranked #327 in the United States as a baby 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 Nicole?
Nicole originates from French tradition. French 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 Nicole?
Nicole is a two-syllable name pronounced N IH0 K OW1 L. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Nicole more of a girl or boy name?
Nicole is a genuinely unisex name used for both boys and girls. The unisex quality makes it particularly versatile for modern families.
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