MallowbyNames

Nike

NYE-kee · Of uncertain origin, possibly from Greek 'nike' meaning 'victory'.

Peak popularity
1996
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Nike since 1953

Babies named Nike per year in U.S. Social Security records.

612181960198020002020Most births 1996GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1950s170
1960s00
1970s170
1980s105
1990s3852
2000s1336
2010s2834
2020s2737

Meaning & origin

Nike, inspired by the ancient Greek goddess of victory, entered U.S. birth records in 1989 and reached its highest usage in 1996. The name has held steady at low popularity levels, never ranking in the top 1,000 names. Its association with the athletic brand is undeniable, yet it retains a classical resonance as a name steeped in mythology. While top states are not recorded due to its rarity, Nike remains a distinctive choice with a clear, powerful meaning.

Nike is the ancient Greek goddess of victory, from the Greek word 'nike' meaning 'victory'. As a personal name, it is a modern coinage inspired by the classical figure and the athletic brand. The name has been used in the United States since the late 20th century, with a peak in 1996.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Nik

Sibling names for Nike

Names that share Nike's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

N is for Nike, our favorite little person.

N is for Nike…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Nike's letter becomes Nike's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Nike's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Nike mean?
Nike is the name of the Greek goddess of victory, from the Greek word 'nike' meaning 'victory'. As a given name, it is a modern coinage inspired by the goddess.
How popular is the name Nike?
Nike first appeared in U.S. records in 1989, peaked in 1996, and has remained in stable, low usage through 2025.
Is Nike a boy's or girl's name?
Nike is used for all genders, though it is more commonly given to girls, reflecting its feminine mythological origin.