Find out how popular the first name Kolya has been for the last 16 years (from 1987 to 2002) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kolya by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Kolya is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 70% of people named Kolya being male.

For the most recent data in 2002, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kolya.

The history of the first name Kolya

The name Kolya is a Russian diminutive form of the male given name Nikolai, which is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos. Nikolaos is a compound of the words "nikos" meaning "victory" and "laos" meaning "people". The name Nikolaos was borne by a 4th-century Christian saint, who later became known as Saint Nicholas, the inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus.

The name Kolya gained popularity in Russia and other Slavic countries due to the veneration of Saint Nicholas. It is believed that the first recorded use of the name Kolya dates back to the 12th century, when it appeared in Russian chronicles and manuscripts.

One of the earliest and most famous bearers of the name Kolya was Nikolai Gogol, a renowned Russian novelist and dramatist born in 1809. His works, such as "Dead Souls" and "The Overcoat," are widely regarded as masterpieces of Russian literature.

Another notable figure with the name Kolya was Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, a Russian composer born in 1844. He was a member of the group of composers known as "The Five" and is best known for his orchestral works, including the symphonic suite "Scheherazade".

In the 20th century, Kolya was the name of Nikolai Bukharin (1888-1938), a Bolshevik revolutionary and Soviet politician who played a prominent role in the early years of the Soviet Union.

Kolya Dauren (1924-2006), born Nikolai Konstantinovich Krukov, was a Soviet actor and comedian known for his performances in numerous films and television shows. He was particularly famous for his role as Balbes in the popular Soviet comedy series "The Crew of the Jolly Fellows".

Nikolai Semenovich Sokolov (1920-1997), known as Kolya, was a Soviet and Russian actor who had a prolific career spanning over five decades. He is best remembered for his roles in films such as "Beware of the Car" and "The Twelve Chairs".

While the name Kolya has seen a decline in popularity in recent years, it remains a beloved and culturally significant name in Russia and other Slavic countries, carrying with it a rich history and associations with notable figures from the past.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kolya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kolya, please contact us.

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