Declining since 1985, #3,342 for girls today.
Popularity of Nichole since 1942
Babies named Nichole per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1985, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nichole's real moment was 1979.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 59 |
| 1950s | 58 |
| 1960s | 1,486 |
| 1970s | 18,519 |
| 1980s | 27,235 |
| 1990s | 11,529 |
| 2000s | 3,283 |
| 2010s | 1,301 |
| 2020s | 300 |
Meaning & origin
Nichole is a feminine form of Nicholas, rooted in the Greek elements 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people). The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1942, but its popularity surged in the latter half of the 20th century, reaching a peak rank of 67 in 1979. Since the mid-1980s, usage has steadily declined; in 2025, Nichole ranked 3,342nd, with a frequency of about 1 in 34,941 girls. The name is most prevalent in Texas and California, reflecting broader regional patterns for classic-sounding feminine names. Despite its decline, Nichole remains a familiar choice, often associated with the nickname Nikki. Its trajectory mirrors that of many -ole ending names that peaked during the 1970s and have since fallen out of favor.
Nichole is a feminine variant of Nicholas, from the Greek name Nikolaos, derived from 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people). The name became common in the English-speaking world through Christian veneration of Saint Nicholas, though the feminine form emerged later. Nichole, along with other spellings like Nicole, gained popularity in the mid-20th century.
Where Nichole is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nikki, Nic, Cole
Sibling names for Nichole
Names that share Nichole's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Nichole
Names whose popularity has moved with Nichole's over the last 50 years.
