Declining since 2018, #3,167 for girls today.
Popularity of Nika since 1961
Babies named Nika per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 48 |
| 1970s | 213 |
| 1980s | 295 |
| 1990s | 441 |
| 2000s | 477 |
| 2010s | 674 |
| 2020s | 349 |
Meaning & origin
Nika is a short, versatile name that entered U.S. records in 1961. It reached its peak rank in 2019, one of its strongest years, but has since declined. As of 2025, it ranks 3167 with a frequency of 1 in 32145 births. The name has been most popular in Illinois and California, reflecting its broad but modest use. Despite its uncertain origins, Nika's simplicity and cross-cultural resonance keep it a consistent choice for American parents.
Nika has multiple possible origins. In Russian, it is often a short form of Veronika (cf. Veronica). In Greek mythology, Nike was the goddess of victory, from which the name may derive. In modern English contexts, Nika has been used independently, particularly in the United States since the 1960s. It gained some popularity in the late 2010s before declining.
Where Nika is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nika” around the world
Where Nika lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Niki
Variants: Nica
Sibling names for Nika
Names that share Nika's style, for a brother or sister.
