Holding steady.
Popularity of Nichols since 1914
Babies named Nichols per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 27 |
| 1920s | 26 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 27 |
| 1960s | 17 |
| 1970s | 98 |
| 1980s | 322 |
| 1990s | 163 |
| 2000s | 56 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Nichols is a rare given name with English origins, functioning as a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Nicholas.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1914, but it has never been common. The name saw its highest frequency in 1987, when it peaked in usage, though it remained outside the Top 1000. In recent decades, the name has experienced a stable trajectory, with no significant revival. The name is overwhelmingly given to boys, and it has not been recorded in any state's top baby name lists. As a surname-turned-first-name, Nichols fits a pattern of using family names as given names, particularly in English-speaking cultures. Its relative rarity makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with traditional roots but modern individuality.
Nichols is an English patronymic surname derived from the given name Nicholas, itself from the Greek name Nikolaos meaning 'victory of the people.' As a given name, it was occasionally used in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in honor of family surnames.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nick, Nicky
Variants: Nicholls, Nickolls, Nicols
Sibling names for Nichols
Names that share Nichols's style, for a brother or sister.
