"Victorious one"
Nicole
Pronunciation: [ n-ihk-OHL ]
Does Nicole flow with your last name?
Elegant, proven, and effortlessly sophisticated.
French
English
American
European
Greek
Classic
Feminine
Sophisticated
Elegant
Timeless
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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The Story of Nicole
Nicole is the French feminine form of Nicholas, which derives from the Greek Nikolaos — a compound of nike (victory) and laos (people). The name literally means victory of the people or peoples champion. It entered English usage through French influence and became extremely popular in the mid-20th century.
Nicole peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, consistently ranking in the top 10. By the 2010s it began a gradual decline as newer names gained favor, though it remains well-recognized and widely used. It is still very popular in France and French-speaking countries.
Nicole has been a staple of Western naming culture for decades. The French influence lends it an air of sophistication and elegance. Several high-profile celebrities named Nicole have kept the name in public consciousness, from Nicole Kidman to Nicki Minaj.
Historical Record
Nicole first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 593,047 babies have been named Nicole in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nicole is past its peak , currently ranked #318 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Nicole derives from the same root as Nike, the Greek goddess of victory and the famous sportswear brand
- Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) shares the same root name — Nicole is literally the feminine of Santa Claus
- Nicole has been a top-100 name in the US continuously since the 1960s
- The name is spelled the same in French, English, and German, making it highly international
Nicole in Other Languages
Dutch
Nicole
Greek
Νικόλα
German
Nicole
Italian
Nicola
Russian
Николь
Spanish
Nicolás (masc.) / Nicolasa (fem.)
Popularity Over Time
#318
Current Rank
Falling
Trend
Peaked 1982
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #318
- Total SSA Count
- 961
- Cultural Origins
- French English American European Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Nicki
Nikki
Cole
Coley
Nic
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nicole
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Nicole is also used as a boy name, ranked #29458.
View Nicole as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (French)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nicole
What does the name Nicole mean?
"Victorious one". Nicole is the French feminine form of Nicholas, which derives from the Greek Nikolaos — a compound of nike (victory) and laos (people). The name literally means victory of the people or peoples champion. It entered English usage through French influence and became extremely popular in the mid-20th century.
What is the origin of the name Nicole?
Nicole has French, English, American, European, and Greek origins.
Is Nicole a boy or girl name?
Nicole is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #318. As a boy name, it is ranked #29458. Nicole is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Nicole?
Nicole is pronounced n-ihk-OHL.
How popular is the name Nicole?
Nicole is currently ranked #318 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Nicole?
Common nicknames for Nicole include Nicki, Nikki, Cole, Coley, and Nic.
What are good middle names for Nicole?
Popular middle name pairings include Nicole Marie, Nicole Anne, Nicole Elizabeth, Nicole Rose, and Nicole Grace.
What are good sibling names for Nicole?
Names that pair well with Nicole as siblings include Michelle, Danielle, Renee, Isabelle, and Andre.
How many syllables does Nicole have?
Nicole has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Nicole a common or rare name?
Nicole is a popular name, ranked #318 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Nicole?
About the Name Nicole
Nicole is a girl name with French, English, American, European, and Greek origins . The name means "Victorious one" .
Is Nicole a boy or girl name? Nicole is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #318 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,458. Nicole is more commonly used as a girl name.
Nicole is currently ranked #318 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Nicole has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-ihk-OHL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Nicole include Nicki, Nikki, Cole, Coley, and Nic. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Nicole include Nicolette, Nicolle, Nico . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis