Declining since 1985, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Nicky since 1917
Babies named Nicky per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 28 | 116 |
| 1930s | 20 | 263 |
| 1940s | 148 | 934 |
| 1950s | 185 | 1,639 |
| 1960s | 201 | 1,766 |
| 1970s | 403 | 1,294 |
| 1980s | 397 | 579 |
| 1990s | 224 | 390 |
| 2000s | 165 | 273 |
| 2010s | 146 | 134 |
| 2020s | 50 | 82 |
Meaning & origin
Nicky is a friendly and approachable name that originated as a diminutive of Nicholas or Nicole. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1917, and peaked in usage in 1959, reflecting the mid-century popularity of its parent forms. Its trajectory has been falling since 1985, and as of 2025 it ranks 8,910, with a 1-in-213,510 birth rate. The name's unisex appeal has kept it in steady if modest use, with variants like Nicki and Nikki also appearing. Despite its decline, Nicky remains a familiar and warm choice.
Nicky began as a pet form of Nicholas (from Greek 'nike' meaning victory and 'laos' meaning people) and later of Nicole, its feminine counterpart. The name has been used independently since at least the early 20th century, with early records from 1917. It was widely used as a nickname before emerging as a given name in its own right, especially in English-speaking countries.
Where Nicky 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.
“Nicky” around the world
Where Nicky lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nick, Nic
Sibling names for Nicky
Names that share Nicky's style, for a brother or sister.
