Rising since 2021, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Nik since 1964
Babies named Nik per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2005, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nik's real moment was 2019.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 30 |
| 1980s | 33 |
| 1990s | 29 |
| 2000s | 54 |
| 2010s | 47 |
| 2020s | 19 |
Meaning & origin
Nik, a short form of Nicholas, has been in use as a given name since the mid-20th century, first recorded in the U.S. in 1964. In 2025, it ranked 9714, with about 1 in 244,011 boys receiving the name. Its popularity peaked in 2019, and the name has been on the rise since 2021, reflecting a trend toward concise, clipped forms of classic names. While not among the most common names, Nik offers a straightforward, modern alternative to Nick, appealing to parents seeking a simple yet distinctive choice.
Nik is a short form of Nicholas, which derives from the Greek name Nikolaos, composed of 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people). The name Nicholas spread through early Christian usage, and its diminutives like Nik became popular as independent names in the 20th century, especially in English-speaking countries.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Nick
Sibling names for Nik
Names that share Nik's style, for a brother or sister.
