Declining since 1985, #1,443 for boys today.
Popularity of Nick since 1880
Babies named Nick per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1960, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nick's real moment was 1917.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 394 |
| 1890s | 346 |
| 1900s | 588 |
| 1910s | 4,683 |
| 1920s | 6,832 |
| 1930s | 4,673 |
| 1940s | 5,120 |
| 1950s | 5,695 |
| 1960s | 8,004 |
| 1970s | 4,890 |
| 1980s | 2,727 |
| 1990s | 1,989 |
| 2000s | 2,171 |
| 2010s | 1,556 |
| 2020s | 789 |
Meaning & origin
Nick has a long history as an independent given name in the United States, first recorded in 1880. It reached its peak popularity in 1917, and has been declining in use since 1985. In 2025, the name ranked 1443rd, with about 1 in every 13,775 newborn boys receiving the name. While traditionally a short form of Nicholas, Nick has established its own identity as a standalone name. It has been particularly popular in Maryland, Washington, and New York, reflecting its broad regional appeal.
Nick is a short form of Nicholas, which derives from the Greek name Nikolaos, composed of 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people). The name has been used as an independent given name in English-speaking countries since at least the 19th century, often as a familiar form of Nicholas.
Where Nick is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nick” around the world
Where Nick lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Nic
Sibling names for Nick
Names that share Nick's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Nick
Names whose popularity has moved with Nick's over the last 50 years.
