name
Uncommon
Nicola
NIH-kuh-luh
Nicola (name) means a female given name, the feminine form of Nicholas. Example: “Nicola started her new job on Monday.”
name
1
A female given name, the feminine form of Nicholas.
"He had never called her by her full name so many times in a row. Usually it was Nicky, or sometimes Nick. But never Nicola. Her full name sounded very ominous coming now from Nathaniel Sheridan's lips."
— Meg Cabot, Nicola and the Viscount (2002)
"Nicola started her new job on Monday."
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_____ started her new job on Monday.
Etymology
A feminine form of Nicholas that came into common use in the 20th century.
Class of 1900
Nicola joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Rhymes for Nicola
See all rhymes for Nicola →Frequently asked questions
What does “Nicola” mean?
The word “Nicola” means a female given name, the feminine form of Nicholas.
How do you pronounce “Nicola”?
“Nicola” is pronounced NIH-kuh-luh (/nɪˈkoʊlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nicola” in a sentence?
Here is “Nicola” used in a sentence: “Nicola started her new job on Monday.”
What part of speech is “Nicola”?
“Nicola” is a name.
Where does the word “Nicola” come from?
The word “Nicola” dates back to around 1900. A feminine form of Nicholas that came into common use in the 20th century.
Is “Nicola” a common word?
“Nicola” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is Nicola a male or female name?
Nicola is used as a female given name in English-speaking countries, functioning as the feminine form of Nicholas. Notably, in Italian, Nicola is instead traditionally a male name, so its gender association can depend on the language and country.
What is the male equivalent of the name Nicola?
The male equivalent of Nicola, at least in English usage, is Nicholas, since Nicola developed as the feminine form of that name. Related forms in other languages include Nicole in French and Nikola in Slavic countries.
Is Nicola pronounced differently in different countries?
Yes, pronunciation of Nicola can vary by country and language, with English speakers often stressing the first syllable, while Italian pronunciation places emphasis differently given that it is used there as a male name. This reflects how the same name can shift in usage and pronunciation as it crosses languages.
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