How to say it
NI · co · las
/ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/
Masculine
Nicolas
Victory of the people
What it means
French and Spanish form of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos (nikē 'victory' + laos 'people'). Saint Nicholas of Myra evolved into Santa Claus; the French Nicolas Cage is the modern Hollywood anchor.
Nicolas is the French and Spanish form of Nicholas, both from the Greek Nikolaos (nikē 'victory' + laos 'people'). The same root family as Nicholas; the difference is the single-L French/Spanish spelling versus the double-L English (Nicholas is the English standard, Nicolas is more European). Nicolas Cage (born Nicolas Coppola, nephew of Francis Ford Coppola) is the dominant English-language anchor for the single-L spelling. The French Nicolas Sarkozy was president of France 2007-2012. The Spanish form is common across Latin America. Common short: Nico (which is its own name in modern usage).
Popularity over time
peaked at #132 in 1998, currently #177 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Nicolas (single L, French/Spanish) and Nicholas (double L, English) are the same name in different traditions. Pronunciation is similar but the French Nicolas tends to drop the final S.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Nicolas Cage American actor, Leaving Las Vegas (Oscar) and Con Air
- Nicolas Sarkozy President of France 2007-2012
Spelling variants
- Nicholas
- Nicolás
- Nikolas
Names with the same feeling
See Nicolas from another angle
By style