Nicholas is a male

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

and a surname. The Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the

Anglican Churches The Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian communion after the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Founded in 1867 in London, the communion has more than 85 million members within the Church of England and other ...

celebrate

Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas of Myra, ; la, Sanctus Nicolaus (traditionally 15 March 270 – 6 December 343), also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of Greeks, Greek descent from the maritime city of Myra in Asia Minor (; modern-da ...

every year on December 6, which is the name day for "Nicholas". In Greece, the name and its derivatives are especially popular in maritime regions, as St. Nicholas is considered the protector saint of seafarers.

Origins

The name is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος ('' Nikolaos''), understood to mean 'victory of the people', being a compound of νίκη ''nikē'' 'victory' and λαός ''laos'' 'people'.. An ancient paretymology of the latter is that originates from λᾶς ''las'' ( contracted form of λᾶας ''laas'') meaning 'stone' or 'rock', as in Greek mythology, Deucalion and Pyrrha recreated the people after they had vanished in a catastrophic deluge, by throwing stones behind their shoulders while they kept marching on. The name became popular through

, Bishop of

Myra Myra ( grc, Μύρα, ''Mýra'') was a Lycian, then ancient Greek, then Greco-Roman, then Byzantine Greek, then Ottoman town in Lycia, which became the small Turkish town of Kale, renamed Demre in 2005, in the present-day Antalya Province of ...

in Lycia, the inspiration for

Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a Legend, legendary figure originating in Western Christianity, Western Christian culture who is said to Christmas gift-bringer, bring ...

, but it predates said Bishop by several centuries: the Athenian historian Thucydides for example, mentions that in the second year of the

Peloponnesian War The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC) was an ancient Greek war fought between Athens and Sparta and their respective allies for the hegemony of the Greek world. The war remained undecided for a long time until the decisive intervention of th ...

(431–404 BC) between Sparta and Athens, the Spartans sent a delegation to the Persian king to ask for his help to fight the Athenians; a certain Nikolaos was one of the delegates. The customary English spelling ''Nicholas'', using a '' ch'', as though the word were spelled in Greek with a

chi Chi or CHI may refer to: Greek *Chi (letter), the Greek letter (uppercase Χ, lowercase χ); Chinese *Chi (length), ''Chi'' (length) (尺), a traditional unit of length, about ⅓ meter *Chi (mythology) (螭), a dragon *Chi (surname) (池, pin ...

, first came into use in the 12th century and has been firmly established since the Reformation, although the spelling ''Nicolas'' is occasionally used.

Male variations

Variations for males include: * af, Niklaas * sq, Nikollë, Nikolla, Nikë, Niklaus, Klaus, Koll, Kolë * ar, نقولا * fa, نیک * an, Nicolau * hy, italic=yes, Նիկողայոս (Nikog(h)ayos, Nigog(h)ayos), Նիկողոս (Nikog(h)os, Nigog(h)os) * Asturleonese: , , * eu, Nikola * be, italic=yes, Мікалай (Mikalai), Мікола (Mikola) * br, Nikolaz * bg, italic=yes, Никола (

Nikola Nikola () is a given name which, like Nicholas, is a version of the Greek '' Nikolaos'' (Νικόλαος). It is common as a masculine given name in the South Slavic countries ( Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, Mo ...

), Николай (Nikolay), Никлен (Niklen), Никулица (Nikùlitsa), Коле (Kole), Кольо (Kolyo), Колю (Kolyu) * ca, Nicolau * cv, Mikulaj * hr, Niko, Nikola'', Nikolac, Nikolaj'' * cz, Nikolas, Mikuláš * da, Claus, Klaus, Niels, Nicolai, Nikolaj, Nilas, Nis, Nikolas, Nikolai, Nicklas, Niklas, Niclas * nl, Nicolaas, Nikolaas, Klaas, Nico, Niek, Niels, Claas, Claes * eo, Niĉjo, Niko, Nikolao * et, Nigulas, Nigul, Niilo, Mikk * fi, Launo, Niilo, Niklas, Niko, Nikol, Nikolai *french:

Nicolas Nicolas or Nicolás may refer to: People Given name * Nicolas (given name) Mononym * Nicolas (footballer, born 1999), Brazilian footballer * Nicolas (footballer, born 2000), Brazilian footballer Surname Nicolas * Dafydd Nicolas (c.1705–1774), ...

, Nico, Colas, Colin * gl, Nicolao * ka, ნიკოლოზ (), (), (), () *german: Claus, Claas, Klaas, Klaus, Klas, Nickolaus, Nicolaus, Niklaus, Nickolas, Nikolaus, Nikolo, Niklas, Nico, Niko, Nil, Nilo * el, Νικόλαος ( Nikolaos), Νικόλας (Nikolas), Νίκος (

Nikos Nikos ( el, Νίκος, ''Níkos'') is a Greek given name. It originates from Greek ''Nikolaos'', which means "victory of the people".Liddell & Scott, Abridged Greek Lexicon Although used as a proper first name, Nikos is also a popular nickname of t ...

), Νικολής (Nikolis) * hu,

Miklós Miklós () is a given name or surname, the Hungarian form of the Greek (English ''Nicholas''), and may refer to: In Hungarian politics * Miklós Bánffy, Hungarian nobleman, politician, and novelist * Miklós Horthy, Regent of the Kingdom of Hun ...

, Mikulás (only for Santa Claus), Miksa, Mikes, Mike, Mikó, Nikolasz, Klausz * is, Nikulás, Níels, Nils * ga, Nioclás * it, Nicola, Nicolò, Niccolò, Nico, Nicolao, Nicolas * Japanese: Nikorasu * la, Nicolaus * lv, Niklāvs, Klāvs, Nikolass, Nikolajs * lt, Mikalojus, Nikolajus * nds, Nikolaas, Nicolaas, Klaas, Klaus * mk, Никола (Nikola), Коле (Kole), Кољо (Koljo), Николче (Nikolče), Николе (Nikole) * ms, Nikkolas * mt,

* mi, Nikora * no, Nils, Nikolai * pl,

Mikołaj Mikołaj is the Polish cognate of given name Nicholas, used both as a given name and a surname. It may refer to people: In Polish (or Polish-Lithuanian) nobility: * Mikołaj Firlej (died 1526), Polish nobleman, Hetman, diplomat, and expert of sou ...

, Mik, Mikołajek, Nikolas * pt, Nicolau, Nicola, Nícolas * ro, Neculai, Nicolae, Nicu, Nicușor, Niculae, Nicoară(old variant inherited from Latin) *russian: Николай (Nikolai), Коля (Kolya) * gd, Neacel, Nichol, Nicol, Caelan, Calen * sr, Никола * sk, Mikuláš, Nikolas, Mikoláš * sl, Miklavž, Niko, Nikolaj * es, Nicolás, Nicolao * sv, Nels, Niklas, Niclas, Nicklas, Nils, Klas, Claes * to, Nikolasi * tt-Cyrl, Микулай ()Makaleler
''Turuk Dergisi''. * uk, Микола (Mykola), Миколай (Mykolai, Mykolay) * hsb, Mikławš * fry, Klaes

Female forms

Female forms include: * Bulgarian: Николина (Nikolina), Николета (Nikoleta), Никол (Nikol), Нина (Nina) * Czech: Nikol, Nikoleta, Nikola, Nicol * Dutch: Klasina, Klazina, Nicole, Nicolien, Nicolet, Nicoline * Danish: Nikoline * English: Nicole/Nichole, Nicola/Nichola, Nicolette, Colette *

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

: Colette, Coline, Nicole, Nicolette, Nicoline, Cosette * German: Nicole, Nikole, Nicola, Nikola * Greek: Νίκη (Níkē, a conflation with Níke), Νικολέτα (Nikoléta), Νικολίνα (Νikolína) * Hungarian: Nikolett * Italian: Nicoletta, Nicole, Nicolina *

Macedonian Macedonian most often refers to someone or something from or related to Macedonia. Macedonian(s) may specifically refer to: People Modern * Macedonians (ethnic group), a nation and a South Slavic ethnic group primarily associated with North M ...

: Nikolina * Norwegian: Nilsine, Nicoline * Polish: Nikola * Portuguese: Nicole * Romanian: Niculina, Nicoleta *

Scottish Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...

: Nicola, Nicholas (Lowlands 18th/19th century) * Serbo-Croatian: Nikolija (archaic), Nikolina, Nikoleta * Slovak: Nikola, Nikoleta * Slovene: Nika * Spanish: Nicolasa, Nicoleta, Nicole

People known as Nicholas

Single name (rulers, popes, patriarch and antipopes)

* Antipope Nicholas V * Nicholas I of Russia * Nicholas II of Russia * Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš (1840–1921) King of Montenegro * Patriarchs of Constantinople, of which the best known are Nicholas Mystikos and Nicholas III Grammatikos * Prince Nicholas of Romania (1903–1978) *

Pope Nicholas I Pope Nicholas I ( la, Nicolaus I; c. 800 – 13 November 867), called Nicholas the Great, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 24 April 858 until his death. He is remembered as a consolidator of papal authority, exerting dec ...

Pope Nicholas II Pope Nicholas II ( la, Nicholaus II; c. 990/995 – 27 July 1061), otherwise known as Gerard of Burgundy, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 24 January 1059 until his death in 27 July 1061. At the time of his ...

* Pope Nicholas III * Pope Nicholas IV * Pope Nicholas V

Given (first) name

Nicholas Yaw Boafo Adade Nicholas Yaw Boafo Adade (1927–2013) was a former supreme court judge and Attorney General of the Republic of Ghana. He was the Attorney General of Ghana between 14 April 1969 to 1970 in the Busia government. He was also Member of Parliamen ...

(1927–2013), Ghanaian judge, Attorney General of Ghana from 1969 to 1971 * Nicholas Alipui, UNICEF's director of programmes * Nicholas Allard (born 1952), American Dean and President of Brooklyn Law School * Nicholas Ansell (born 1994), Australian footballer *

Nicholas Bacon (disambiguation) Nicholas Bacon may refer to: * Sir Nicholas Bacon (Lord Keeper) (1510–1579), English politician during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal * Sir Nicholas Bacon, 1st Baronet, of Redgrave (c. 1540–1624), his son, the firs ...

, several people * Nicholas Bayard (1644–1707), American official * Nicholas Bayard (theologian) (fl. 1300?), Dominican theologian * Nicholas Bett (1992–2018), Kenyan hurdler * Nicholas Braun (born 1988), American actor * Nicholas Briggs (born 1961), British actor, voice of the Daleks on ''Doctor Who'' * Nicholas Caldwell (1944–2016), American R&B singer, original member of The Whispers * Nicholas "Nick" Cannon (born 1980), American actor, comedian, rapper, and radio/television personality * Nicholas Choi, Hong Kong fencer *

Nicholas A. Christakis Nicholas A. Christakis (born May 7, 1962) is a Greek-American sociologist and physician known for his research on social networks and on the socioeconomic, biosocial, and evolutionary determinants of human welfare (including the behavior, healt ...

(born 1962), American sociologist and physician * Nicholas "Nick" Chubb (born 1995), American football player *

Nicholas Clapp Nicholas Clapp is a Borrego Springs, California based writer, film-maker, and amateur archaeologist who has been called "a modern day Indiana Jones". He has received 70 film awards (including Emmys), and several films that he edited have recei ...

, American writer, film-maker, and amateur archaeologist * Nicholas "Nick" Clegg (born 1967), British politician * Nicholas Courtney (1929–2011), British actor known for playing the Brigadier, Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, in ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...

'' * Nicholas of Cusa (1401–1464), German philosopher, theologian, jurist, and astronomer *

Nicholas Dias Abeysinghe Nicholas Dias Abeysinghe Amarasekere Maha Mudaliyar, ( Sinhala: නිකලස් ඩයස් අබේසිංහ අමරසේකර) (8 May 1719 - 10 May 1794) was a Ceylonese Dutch colonial administrator. He was appointed as the Maha Mud ...

(1719–1794), Sri Lankan Maha Mudaliyar * Nicholas "Nick" Drake (1948–1974), English singer-songwriter and musician * Nicholas "Nick" Ephgrave, British senior police officer *

Nicholas Fattoush Nicholas Fattoush (born 1943) is a Lebanese lawyer and politician who served in various cabinet posts, including minister of tourism. He was also member of the Lebanese Parliament. Biography Fattoush was born in Zahlé in 1943. He hails from a M ...

(born 1943), Lebanese politician * Nicholas Fernando (1932–2020), Roman Catholic Archbishop of Colombo from 1977 to 2002 * Nicholas "Nick" Frost (born 1970), British comedian, actor and screenwriter * Nicholas "Nick" Fuentes (born 1998), American right-wing political commentator * Nicholas Hoult (born 1989), English actor and model * Nicholas Scott Lachey (born 1973), American singer, songwriter, actor, producer, and television personality * Nicholas Laughlin (born 1975), Trinidad and Tobago writer and editor * Nicholas Lash (1934–2020), British theologian * Nicholas Latifi (born 1995), Canadian racing driver * Nicholas Markowitz (1984–2000), American murder victim *Nicholas Massey (born 1989), American professional wrestler, one half of The Young Bucks *

Nicholas Megura Nicholas Megura (July 28, 1920 – November 4, 1988) was a United States Air Force lieutenant colonel. He served in the United States Army Air Forces as a fighter pilot during World War II, and he became an ace with 11.83 aerial victories before h ...

(1920–1988), American flying ace during World War II * Nicholas D. Miller (born 1990), American DJ known professionally as Illenium * Nicholas Mosley (1923–2017), British novelist and aristocrat * Nicholas Nahas (born 1946), Lebanese businessman and politician * Nicholas Negroponte (born 1943), Greek American computer scientist and architect * Nicholas Patrick (born 1964), British-American engineer and astronaut *

Nicholas Pegg Nicholas Pegg is a British actor, writer and director. Educated at Nottingham High School and graduating with a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Exeter, Pegg subsequently trained at the Guildford School of Acting. Acti ...

, British actor, director and writer * Nicholas Pertuit (born 1983), American football player *

Nicholas Petit-Frere Nicholas Petit-Frere (born September 15, 1999) is an American football offensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State. Early life and high school career Petit-Frere grew u ...

(born 1999), American football player * Nicholas "Nick" Jay Rickles (born 1990), American baseball player *

Nick Robinson (disambiguation) Nicholas, Nicky or Nick Robinson may refer to: * Nick Robinson (journalist) (born 1963), British political journalist * Nick Robinson (paperfolder) (born 1957), British origami artist * Nicky Robinson (rugby union) (born 1982), Welsh rugby player * ...

, several people, including Nicholas and Nicky * Nicholas Sparks (politician) (1794–1862), American politician * Nicholas Sparks (born 1965), American novelist, screenwriter *

Nicholas Tatambuka Nicholas Tatambuka (born July 1985), better known by his stage names Nick Nola and Nicky Nola, is a Ugandan R&B singer-songwriter and dancer who came to prominence as a member of the musical group Hip Hop Canvas. Signed to Platinum Records, the ...

(born 1985), Ugandan singer and dancer known as Nick Nola *

Nicholas Tse Nicholas Tse Ting-fung (born 29 August 1980) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and chef.EEGmusic.EEGmusic." ''Nicolas Tse profile.'' Retrieved on 22 April 2008. As multi talented celebrity, he became a TV ch ...

(born 1980), Hong Kong singer and actor * Nicholas Winton (1909–2015), British humanitarian, nicknamed the British Schindler * Nicholas Wrigley (born 1955), British merchant banker

Nobility

* Nicholas I of Russia (1796–1855), Emperor of Russia * Nicholas II of Russia (1868–1918), Emperor of Russia * Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark, son of George I of Greece

Saints

*Saint Nicholas The Duc Bui, one of the Vietnamese Martyrs *Saint

Nicholas of Flüe Nicholas of Flüe (german: Niklaus von Flüe; 1417 – 21 March 1487) was a Swiss hermit and ascetic who is the patron saint of Switzerland. He is sometimes invoked as Brother Klaus. A farmer, military leader, member of the assembly, councillo ...

*Saint Nicholas of Japan *

of Myra, also known as Sinterklaas or

* Saint Nicholas of Tolentino * Saint Nicholas of Russia (Nicholas II of Russia)

Surname

Bob Nicholas Robert A. Nicholas (born October 14, 1957) is an American Republican politician. He is currently a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from the 7th district. A lawyer by profession, Nicholas was first elected from the 8th district in ...

(born 1957), American politician *

Cindy Nicholas Cynthia Maria "Cindy" Nicholas, (August 20, 1957 – May 19, 2016) was a long distance swimmer and a politician in Ontario, Canada. In 1977, she became the first woman to complete a two-way crossing of the English Channel. From 1987 to 1990 she w ...

(1957-2016), Canadian long distance swimmer *

Cyril Nicholas Captain Cyril Wace Nicholas, MC, KRR (1898–1961) was a Ceylonese soldier, civil servant and forester. He was the first Warden of the Wild Life Department. Early life and service Educated at the Royal College, Colombo, he went on to study at t ...

(1898–1961), Sri Lankan Burgher army captain, civil servant, and forester * Edward Nicholas (1593–1699), English politician *

Fred Nicholas Frederick William Herbert Nicholas (25 July 1893 – 20 October 1962) was an English first-class cricketer who played for Essex County Cricket Club in a first-class career that spanned from 1912 to 1929. He also played association football as a ...

(1893–1962), British cricketer *

George Nicholas (politician) George Nicholas ( 1754 – July 25, 1799) was an American lawyer, planter, patriot, military officer and politician who helped to write the first Kentucky constitution and became the first professor of law at Transylvania University. He also bri ...

(1754–1799), American law professor, son of Robert C. Nicholas Sr. *

George Nicholas (footballer) George Anton Nicholas (born 19 December 1992) is an English semi-professional footballer. He currently plays for Isthmian League side Northwood who he rejoined in 2023. Nicholas also had a short stint at Wealdstone who he joined following his ...

(born 1992) * Harry Nicholas (1905–1997), British trade unionist *

John Nicholas (academic) John Nicholas D.D. was an English academic administrator at the University of Oxford. Nicholas was elected Warden (head) of New College, Oxford, in 1675, a post he held until 1679. During his time as Warden of New College, he was also Vice-Cha ...

, 17th-century Oxford administrator *

John Nicholas (congressman) John Nicholas (January 19, 1764December 31, 1819) was an American lawyer, farmer, and politician from Williamsburg, Virginia. He represented Virginia in the U.S. House from 1793 to 1801. In 1798, before the enactment of the Sedition Act, whic ...

(1764–1819), American lawyer and politician, father of Robert C. Nicholas *

John Nicholas (judge) John Victor Nicholas is an Australian judge. He has been a judge of the Federal Court of Australia since November 2009. Prior to his appointment, Nicholas practised as a senior counsel in Sydney, principally in commercial law. Biography Nichol ...

, Australian judge * John Nicholas (of Chepstow), 17th-century English politician *

John Spangler Nicholas John Spangler Nicholas (March 10, 1895 – September 11, 1963) was an American embryologist and a professor of zoology at Yale University. He contributed to experimental techniques for the study of embryology through transplants, the early stage d ...

(1895–1963), American embryologist *

Nick St. Nicholas Nick St. Nicholas (born Klaus Karl Kassbaum on September 28, 1943) is a German bandleader, bass guitarist, singer and songwriter; best known for his partnership in Steppenwolf. Early life He was born in Plön, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany ...

(born 1943), musician * Paul Nicholas (born 1944), English actor and singer *

Phil Nicholas Philip Nicholas (born March 16, 1955) is a Republican member of the Wyoming Senate for the 10th district, encompassing Albany County.

(born 1955), American politician *

Philip Nicholas Philip Leach Nicholas (30 May 1876 – 31 January 1952) was an international rugby union wing who played club rugby for Oxford University RFC, Oxford University and Exeter Chiefs, Exeter. Nicolas played one international rugby game for England ...

(1876–1952), Welsh rugby player *

Robert C. Nicholas (New York politician) Robert Carter Nicholas (December 6, 1801 — May 10, 1854) was an American politician from New York. Life He was the son of Congressman John Nicholas (1764–1819). The family removed from Williamsburg, Virginia to Geneva, New York in 1803. He m ...

(1801–1851), American politician *

Robert Carter Nicholas, Sr. Robert Carter Nicholas (January 28, 1728-November 1780) was a Virginia lawyer, patriot, legislator and judge. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and its successor, the Virginia House of Delegates. He became the last treasurer of the C ...

(1728–1780), American lawyer and politician * Robert Carter Nicholas (1793–1857), American planter and politician *

Samuel Nicholas Samuel Nicholas (1744 – 27 August 1790) was the first officer commissioned in the United States Continental Marines (predecessor to the United States Marine Corps) and by tradition is considered to be the first Commandant of the Marine Corps ...

(1744–1790), the first American Marine officer and commandant * Sandra Lovelace Nicholas (born 1948), Canadian indigenous activist and senator * Thomas Nicholas (disambiguation), several people *

Victor A. Nicholas Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Albert Nicholas, Order of the British Empire, MBE, (4 May 1897 - 1956) was the sixteenth Postmaster General of Sri Lanka, Postmaster General of Ceylon, serving between 1951 and 1956, and the second Ceylonese to hold the ...

(1897–1956), second Sri Lankan to hold post of Postmaster General of Sri Lanka *

William H. Nicholas William H. Nicholas (October 10, 1892 – August 13, 1984) was an American politician who served twice as the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa. Early life and education Born in Butler County, Iowa to William A. Nicholas and Elizabeth H. Nichola ...

(1892–1984), American politician * William Nicholas (officer) (1785–1812), British Army officer * Wilson Cary Nicholas (1761–1820), American banker and politician * The Nicholas Brothers, American tap dancers: ** Fayard Nicholas (1914–2006) ** Harold Nicholas (1921–2000)

References

{{reflist Given names of Greek language origin English-language masculine given names English masculine given names English-language surnames Given names Surnames