Declining since 1985, #7,885 for girls today.
Popularity of Niki since 1932
Babies named Niki per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 18 |
| 1940s | 267 |
| 1950s | 657 |
| 1960s | 742 |
| 1970s | 1,901 |
| 1980s | 1,559 |
| 1990s | 1,092 |
| 2000s | 474 |
| 2010s | 256 |
| 2020s | 82 |
Meaning & origin
Niki first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1932, and its trajectory has been one of rising and then falling popularity. The name reached its peak year of usage in 1972, which aligns with broader trends for diminutive-style names in the mid-20th century. Since 1985, its usage has been consistently declining, ranking 7,885 in 2025 with only about 1 in 123,636 newborns receiving the name. This pattern reflects a generational shift away from nickname-based given names. Though Niki did not show significant ties to any particular U.S. states in the data, its variants Nikki, Nicki, and Nicky have also seen parallel declines. As a standalone name, Niki remains a concise and friendly option, though families today are increasingly opting for the longer forms Nicole or Nikita.
Niki is typically a short form of Nicole (feminine form of Nicholas, from Greek 'nike' meaning 'victory') or Nikita (a Russian diminutive of Nicholas or a name of Greek origin). As an independent given name, it emerged in English-speaking countries in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it was first recorded in 1932.
Where Niki is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Niki” around the world
Where Niki lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Niki
Names that share Niki's style, for a brother or sister.
