A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Nicol since 1956
Babies named Nicol per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 262 |
| 1970s | 808 |
| 1980s | 295 |
| 1990s | 186 |
| 2000s | 306 |
| 2010s | 239 |
| 2020s | 119 |
Meaning & origin
Nicol is a concise variant of the classic Nicholas, used in Scotland and England for centuries. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1956 and saw its peak usage in 1972, reflecting the broader mid-century embrace of streamlined, -ol ending names like Nicole and Nichol. After declining for decades, Nicol has been rising again since 2018, part of a revival for 1970s-style names. In 2025 it ranked 6,838 with a 1-in-100,454 frequency, making it a rare but familiar choice. Without strong ties to any single state, Nicol feels both historic and rediscovered, appealing to parents drawn to short, clear names with a Scottish lilt.
Nicol is a Scottish and English variant of Nicholas, ultimately from the Greek name Nikolaos, derived from nike meaning 'victory' and laos meaning 'people'. It was popularized in medieval Europe through the veneration of Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop of Myra. In Scotland, Nicol has been used as a surname and given name, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nicky, Nic, Cole
Sibling names for Nicol
Names that share Nicol's style, for a brother or sister.
