name
Common
Nicholas
NIHK-uh-luhs
Nicholas (name) means a male given name of Ancient Greek origin, borne by Saint Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for Father Christmas. Example: “His full name is Nicholas, but everyone calls him Nick.”
name
1
A male given name of Ancient Greek origin, borne by Saint Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for Father Christmas.
"His full name is Nicholas, but everyone calls him Nick."
How to use Nicholas
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA classic male name meaning roughly "people's victory", often shortened to Nick, Nico, or Nicky.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Nicholases
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Etymology
From Ancient Greek Nikolaos, combining nike ("victory") and laos ("people") — literally "victory of the people".
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Rhymes for Nicholas
See all rhymes for Nicholas →Frequently asked questions
What does “Nicholas” mean?
The word “Nicholas” means a male given name of Ancient Greek origin, borne by Saint Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for Father Christmas. In plain terms, a classic male name meaning roughly "people's victory", often shortened to Nick, Nico, or Nicky.
How do you pronounce “Nicholas”?
“Nicholas” is pronounced NIHK-uh-luhs (/ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nicholas” in a sentence?
Here is “Nicholas” used in a sentence: “His full name is Nicholas, but everyone calls him Nick.”
What part of speech is “Nicholas”?
“Nicholas” is a name.
Where does the word “Nicholas” come from?
The word “Nicholas” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek Nikolaos, combining nike ("victory") and laos ("people") — literally "victory of the people".
Is “Nicholas” a common word?
“Nicholas” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What are common nicknames for Nicholas?
The most common short forms are Nick and Nicky, and Nico is also popular. The name Colin developed historically from a medieval pet form of Nicholas.
How is Nicholas connected to Santa Claus?
The name was borne by Saint Nicholas of Myra, the early Christian bishop whose legend inspired Father Christmas. The name Santa Claus itself developed from Sinterklaas, a Dutch form of Saint Nicholas.
What is the difference between Nicholas and Nicolas?
Nicholas, with an h, is the usual English spelling of the name. Nicolas, without the h, is the standard French and Spanish form, though it also appears in English-speaking countries.
What are the female versions of Nicholas?
The most common feminine forms are Nicole, Nicola, and Nichole. Nicola is especially familiar in Britain, while Nicole is the usual form in North America and France.
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