The name Niko is a diminutive form of the masculine given name Nicholas. It has Greek origins and is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which means "victor of the people" or "conquering the people". The name Nikolaos is comprised of the Greek words "nikos" meaning "victory" and "laos" meaning "people".

Niko has been a popular name throughout history, particularly in Europe and parts of the Middle East. It first gained widespread use during the Byzantine Empire, where the name Nicholas was commonly given to boys in honor of Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century Bishop of Myra (present-day Turkey). Saint Nicholas was renowned for his generosity and became the inspiration for the legendary figure of Santa Claus.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Niko can be found in the writings of the 9th-century Byzantine historian Theophanes the Confessor. He mentions a certain Niko, who was a member of the imperial guard during the reign of Emperor Michael II (820-829 AD).

In the Middle Ages, the name Niko was commonly used in various Slavic countries, such as Russia, Serbia, and Bulgaria. One notable figure was Niko of Ravanica, a 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monk and architect who designed and oversaw the construction of the Ravanica Monastery in central Serbia.

During the Renaissance period, the name Niko gained popularity in Italy. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Niko Pisano (c.1220-c.1278), an Italian sculptor and architect who was a pioneer of the Renaissance style in Italy. His son, Giovanni Pisano (c.1245-c.1314), was also a renowned sculptor and carried on his father's artistic legacy.

In the 20th century, several notable individuals bore the name Niko. Niko Pirosmani (1862-1918) was a renowned Georgian primitivist painter, known for his unique style and depictions of daily life in Georgia. Niko Bellic, a fictional character from the popular video game series Grand Theft Auto IV, was a Serbian immigrant in Liberty City, voiced by actor Michael Hollick.

Other notable figures with the name Niko include Niko Kovač (born 1971), a Croatian former footballer and current manager; Niko Kranjčar (born 1984), a Croatian professional footballer; and Niko Nesterović (born 1973), a former professional basketball player from Serbia.