"victory of the people"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Nicol
Pronunciation: [ n-IHK-uhl ]
Does Nicol flow with your last name?
The elegant Scottish spelling of victory over all
Scottish
French
English
German
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Strong
Sophisticated
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"triumph of the nation"
Origin: Greek/French
Language: French
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The Story of Nicol
Nicol is a Scottish and medieval French variant of Nicole, which derives from the Greek 'Nikolaos' — combining 'nikē' (victory) and 'laos' (people). In Scotland, Nicol was historically used for both males and females, and the Clan Nicolson traces its ancestry to this root. The spelling without the final 'e' preserves the medieval French and Scottish form of the name, giving it a crisp, slightly more unusual character.
Nicole dominated Western naming charts through the 1970s-1990s, fueled by glamorous bearers like Nicole Kidman. The Scottish spelling Nicol was always rarer, carrying a slightly more intellectual, European character. Today both spellings are declining from their peak, but Nicol retains appeal for parents seeking a classic name with a less common spelling.
In Scotland, Nicol was used as both a first name and a surname, and remains part of Scottish heritage. The French connection gives it a Continental sophistication. In medieval Europe, the name Nicholas/Nicole was deeply associated with Saint Nicholas, patron of children, sailors, and many others.
Historical Record
Nicol first appeared in US Social Security records in 1956.
Over 2,203 babies have been named Nicol in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nicol is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,771 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The name Nicole/Nicol descends from the same root as Nicholas, patron saint of children and the basis for Santa Claus
- Nicol was recorded as a Scottish male name as early as the 13th century
- The Battle of Crécy (1346) included a Sir Nicol de la Beche among the English knights
Nicol in Other Languages
Greek
Νικόλη
French
Nicole
German
Nicol
Russian
Николь
Spanish
Nicole
Popularity Over Time
#5,771
Current Rank
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Nicol
N
Nicole Kidman
Actor
1967
Academy Award-winning Australian-American actress and one of Hollywood's most iconic stars
N
Nicole Fontaine
Politician
1942
French politician who served as President of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2002
N
Nicol Williamson
Actor
1936
Scottish stage and screen actor acclaimed for his portrayals of Hamlet and Merlin
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Compare Nicol with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,771
- Total SSA Count
- 22
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish French English German Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Nic
Nicki
Cole
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, 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 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nicol
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Nicol is also used as a boy name, ranked #16470.
View Nicol as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nicol
What does the name Nicol mean?
"victory of the people" (from Greek). "triumph of the nation" (from Greek/French). Nicol is a Scottish and medieval French variant of Nicole, which derives from the Greek 'Nikolaos' — combining 'nikē' (victory) and 'laos' (people). In Scotland, Nicol was historically used for both males and females, and the Clan Nicolson traces its ancestry to this root. The spelling without the final 'e' preserves the medieval French and Scottish form of the name, giving it a crisp, slightly more unusual character.
What is the origin of the name Nicol?
Nicol has Greek, Greek/French, Scottish, French, English, German, and Scandinavian origins. In Greek, it means "victory of the people". In Greek/French, it means "triumph of the nation".
Is Nicol a boy or girl name?
Nicol is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5771. As a boy name, it is ranked #16470. Nicol is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Nicol?
Nicol is pronounced n-IHK-uhl.
How popular is the name Nicol?
Nicol is currently ranked #5771 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Nicol?
Common nicknames for Nicol include Nic, Nicki, and Cole.
What are good middle names for Nicol?
Popular middle name pairings include Nicol Anne, Nicol Marie, Nicol Renée, Nicol Elise, Nicol Paige, and Nicol Simone.
What are good sibling names for Nicol?
Names that pair well with Nicol as siblings include Michel, Pascal, Dominique, Bridget, Claudia, and Renata.
How many syllables does Nicol have?
Nicol has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Nicol a common or rare name?
Nicol is an uncommon name, ranked #5771 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Nicol?
About the Name Nicol
Nicol is a girl name with Scottish, French, English, German, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "victory of the people" in Greek .
Is Nicol a boy or girl name? Nicol is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,771 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,470. Nicol is more commonly used as a girl name.
Nicol is currently ranked #5,771 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Nicol has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-IHK-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Nicol include Nic, Nicki, and Cole. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Nicol include Nicole, 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