Nichols
Derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning "victor of the people".
Name Census estimates that about 660 living Americans carry the first name Nichols. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Nichols today is around 41 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Nichols births was 1987 (55 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Nichols. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
660
~ 1 in 519,325 Americans
Peak year
1987
55 babies that year
Average age
41
years old
2009 SSA rank
#13,895
Tracked since 1914
Popularity
Nichols: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Nichols from the 1910s through to the 2000s, spanning 10 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 322 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nichols by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Nichols during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Nichols' live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. California, New York, Massachusetts recorded the most babies named Nichols, while Texas, Missouri, Massachusetts recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 12 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Nichols
The name Nichols is a masculine given name of English origin, derived from the ancient Greek name "Nikolaos." The name "Nikolaos" is composed of two Greek words: "nikos" meaning "victory" and "laos" meaning "people." Consequently, the name Nichols can be interpreted as "victor of the people" or "people's champion."
Historically, the name Nichols gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in England and other parts of Western Europe. It was often associated with the figure of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint known for his generosity and kindness towards children and the less fortunate.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Nichols can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in various historical documents and records across England and other parts of Europe. One notable example is the English historian and philosopher, Nichols de Longchamp, who lived during the late 12th and early 13th centuries.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nichols. One of the earliest and most prominent was Nichols de Faversham, an English theologian and philosopher who lived in the 13th century. Another notable figure was Nichols of Cusa, a 15th-century German philosopher, mathematician, and Catholic cardinal who made significant contributions to the fields of science and theology.
In the realm of literature, the name Nichols has been associated with several acclaimed writers and poets. One such figure was Nichols Rowe, an English playwright and poet who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, best known for his adaptations of classical works. Another notable literary figure was Nichols Hawthorne, the renowned 19th-century American novelist and short story writer, famous for works such as "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables."
In the field of politics and governance, the name Nichols has been borne by several influential figures throughout history. One notable example is Nichols de Condé, a 16th-century French prince and military leader who played a significant role in the French Wars of Religion. Another prominent figure was Nichols Butler, an English philosopher and politician who served as the Secretary of State for Ireland in the late 17th century.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have carried the name Nichols throughout history, showcasing its enduring legacy and significance across various cultures and disciplines.
People
Nichols + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Nichols as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Nichols: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Nichols?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 660 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Nichols going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 519,325 US residents.
Is Nichols a common name?
We classify Nichols as "Very Rare". It ranks above 87.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 758 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Nichols most popular?
The single biggest year for Nichols was 1987, when 55 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Nichols is about 41 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Nichols a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Nichols in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.