Nicole: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Nicole mean and stand for?

Meaning:

French: Victory of the people
Greek: People's victory; victorious people; female version of Nicholas

Gender: Female

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Nicole is pronounced ni-kohl

The name Nicole is of French origin, derived from Nicolas, which itself comes from the Greek name Nikolaos. "Nikos" means victory, and "laos" means people, thereby combining to mean "victory of the people." Being a feminine form of Nicholas, Nicole has been widely used in English and French-speaking countries since the 20th century and has seen variations in spelling and pronunciation across different cultures.

Girl name variations

Family name origins & meanings

French: from the personal name Nicole, feminine form of Nicolas.

Famous people with this first name

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Richie

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Lionel Richie

Nicole in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Nicole Warren from Big Little Lies - The daughter of Celeste Wright, showcasing the complexities of family dynamics.
Nicole Parker from Boogie Nights - A character in the film who depicts the trials of seeking fame.
Nicole Chapman from Fame - A student at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts, striving for success.
Nicole Scott from Missing - A skillful FBI agent solving missing persons cases.
Nicole Walker from Days of Our Lives - A long-standing character known for her complex relationships and dramatic life in Salem.

Popularity of the Name Nicole

According to Social Security Administration data, the name Nicole saw its peak popularity in the United States during the late 20th century, consistently ranking within the top 100 names for girls from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Its highest point was in the 1980s, when it frequently landed in the top 10. Although its popularity has waned slightly in recent years, Nicole remains a well-loved choice for many parents.

Historically, Nicole is of Greek origin, meaning "people of victory," and has French roots as the feminine form of Nicolas. Notable people with the name include actress Nicole Kidman, known for her roles in Moulin Rouge! and Big Little Lies, and Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. Fictional characters named Nicole include Nicole Walker from the soap opera Days of Our Lives and Nicole Watterson from the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball.