How to say it
ni · COLE
nɪˈkoʊl
Feminine
Nicole
Victory of the people
What it means
The French feminine of Nicholas, from the Greek nikē ('victory') plus laos ('people').
Nicole is the French feminine of Nicholas, joining nikē, 'victory,' to laos, 'people.' It became a defining girls' name in the US from the 1970s through the 1990s, carried by stars like Nicole Kidman. It belongs to the broad Nicholas family with Colette and Nicolette. Nikki, Coco, and Cole all serve as shorts.
How to spell Nicole
The standard spelling is Nicole. Common variants include Nichole, Nicola, Nicolette, but Nicole is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #6 in 1982, currently #383 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Nikki, Coco, and Cole all work as shorts.
- Spelling
The French feminine of Nicholas; cousin of Colette and Nicolette.
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.
- Nicole Kidman Australian-American Academy Award-winning actress
Spelling variants
- Nichole
- Nicola
- Nicolette
Names with the same feeling
See Nicole from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Nicole mean?
- The French feminine of Nicholas, from the Greek nikē ('victory') plus laos ('people').
- What does Nicole mean in French?
- In French, Nicole means "Victory of the people." Nicole is the French feminine of Nicholas, joining nikē, 'victory,' to laos, 'people.' It became a defining girls' name in the US from the 1970s through the 1990s, carried by stars like Nicole Kidman. It belongs to the broad Nicholas family with Colette and Nicolette. Nikki, Coco, and Cole all serve as shorts.
- How do you pronounce Nicole?
- Nicole is pronounced nɪˈkoʊl. Say it as ni-COLE, with the stress on the "cole" syllable.
- How do you spell Nicole?
- The standard spelling is Nicole. Common spelling variants include Nichole, Nicola, Nicolette.
- Is Nicole a boy or girl name?
- Nicole is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Nicole?
- Nicole ranked #383 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.