Nikolai
Nikolai is a boys' name of Russian origin meaning “victory of the people.” It ranked #425 in the United States in 2025. Nikolai is the Russian form of Nicholas, meaning 'victory of the people.
how do you pronounce Nikolai?
nih-koh-LYE
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Nikolai mean?
The name Nikolai means “victory of the people.” It comes from the Russian language tradition.
Nikolai is the Russian form of Nicholas, meaning 'victory of the people.' Saint Nicholas (Nikolai in Russian), the inspiration for Santa Claus, is one of the most venerated saints in Russian Orthodoxy. Two tsars bore the name, and it graces some of Russia's greatest literary figures.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #425 |
| 2023 | #440 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
who are famous people named Nikolai?
- Nikolai Gogol (Russian-Ukrainian writer)
- Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian composer)
- Tsar Nicholas II (Nikolai II)
what names are similar to Nikolai?
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
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