"victory of the people"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Nikola
Pronunciation: [ n-ihk-OHL-uh ]
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The Slavic Tesla of given names, brilliant and timeless
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"people's champion"
Origin: Greek via Slavic
Language: Serbian
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The Story of Nikola
Nikola is the South Slavic form of Nicholas, derived from the Greek Nikolaos, a compound of nike (victory) and laos (people). While Nicholas took root in western Europe, Nikola became the standard form across the Balkans and parts of Scandinavia. The name has been borne by saints, scholars, and kings throughout the region's history.
Nikola has long been a top name in Serbia, Croatia, and Bulgaria. Globally, its profile soared after Nikola Tesla became a cultural icon in the early 21st century, adopted by tech culture and the electric vehicle industry. His name now appears on companies, buildings, and schools worldwide.
In Orthodox Christian tradition, St. Nicholas (Sveti Nikola) is one of the most venerated saints, and Nikola Day on December 19 is an important family holiday across the Balkans. The name connects deeply to Slavic Orthodox heritage.
Historical Record
Nikola first appeared in US Social Security records in 1960.
Over 3,341 babies have been named Nikola in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nikola is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,589 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) pioneered alternating current and holds over 300 patents
- Nikola is consistently a top-5 boy name in Serbia and Croatia
- Both the electric vehicle company Tesla and the truck company Nikola were named after Nikola Tesla
Nikola in Other Languages
Czech
Nikola
Greek
Νικόλαος
Serbian
Никола
Swedish
Niklas
Croatian
Nikola
Bulgarian
Никола
Popularity Over Time
#1,589
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Nikola
N
Nikola Jokic
Athlete
1995
Serbian NBA basketball player for the Denver Nuggets, three-time MVP and one of the greatest players in the modern era
N
Nikola Tesla
Scientist
1856
Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer who pioneered alternating current and made fundamental contributions t...
Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer who pioneered alternating current and made fundamental contributions to modern electricity
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Compare Nikola with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,589
- Total SSA Count
- 108
- Cultural Origins
- Serbian Bulgarian Croatian Czech Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Nik
Niko
Kola
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Scandinavian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nikola
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Nikola is also used as a girl name, ranked #36654.
View Nikola as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Serbian)
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Ancient Greek origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nikola
What does the name Nikola mean?
"victory of the people" (from Greek). "people's champion" (from Greek via Slavic). Nikola is the South Slavic form of Nicholas, derived from the Greek Nikolaos, a compound of nike (victory) and laos (people). While Nicholas took root in western Europe, Nikola became the standard form across the Balkans and parts of Scandinavia. The name has been borne by saints, scholars, and kings throughout the region's history.
What is the origin of the name Nikola?
Nikola has Greek, Greek via Slavic, Serbian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, and Scandinavian origins. In Greek, it means "victory of the people". In Greek via Slavic, it means "people's champion".
Is Nikola a boy or girl name?
Nikola is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1589. As a girl name, it is ranked #36654. Nikola is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Nikola?
Nikola is pronounced n-ihk-OHL-uh.
How popular is the name Nikola?
Nikola is currently ranked #1589 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Nikola?
Common nicknames for Nikola include Nik, Niko, and Kola.
What are good middle names for Nikola?
Popular middle name pairings include Nikola Anton, Nikola Luka, Nikola Stefan, Nikola Ivan, Nikola Milan, and Nikola Petar.
What are good sibling names for Nikola?
Names that pair well with Nikola as siblings include Ana, Katya, Luca, Mia, Stefan, and Vera.
How many syllables does Nikola have?
Nikola has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Nikola a common or rare name?
Nikola is an uncommon name, ranked #1589 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Nikola?
About the Name Nikola
Nikola is a boy name with Serbian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "victory of the people" in Greek .
Is Nikola a boy or girl name? Nikola is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,589 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #36,654. Nikola is more commonly used as a boy name.
Nikola is currently ranked #1,589 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Nikola has 3 syllables and is pronounced n-ihk-OHL-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Nikola include Nik, Niko, and Kola. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Nikola include Niko, Nikolai, Nikolas, Nikolaos, Nikolaus . 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