Nicholai
Every Nicholai since 1962 — 1,024 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nicholai
Nicholai is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,075 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1962, 1,024 American babies have been named Nicholai. Its peak came in 2010, when 51 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Nicholai stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nicholai year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #7,075 |
| 2024 | 17 | #5,594 |
| 2023 | 12 | #7,174 |
| 2022 | 13 | #6,728 |
| 2021 | 16 | #5,708 |
| 2020 | 25 | #4,110 |
| 2019 | 29 | #3,775 |
| 2018 | 30 | #3,677 |
| 2017 | 51 | #2,521 |
| 2016 | 33 | #3,413 |
| 2015 | 38 | #3,067 |
| 2014 | 29 | #3,666 |
| 2013 | 47 | #2,587 |
| 2012 | 39 | #2,991 |
| 2011 | 45 | #2,693 |
| 2010 | 51 | #2,458 |
| 2009 | 38 | #3,089 |
| 2008 | 47 | #2,665 |
| 2007 | 36 | #3,171 |
| 2006 | 46 | #2,612 |
| 2005 | 34 | #3,068 |
| 2004 | 28 | #3,428 |
| 2003 | 24 | #3,698 |
| 2002 | 19 | #4,285 |
| 2001 | 16 | #4,833 |
| 2000 | 12 | #5,810 |
| 1995 | 12 | #5,027 |
| 1990 | 12 | #4,589 |
| 1985 | 8 | #5,022 |
| 1980 | 6 | #6,018 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nicholai in 2025?
Nicholai ranked #7,075 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nicholai?
1,024 babies have been named Nicholai in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nicholai most popular?
Nicholai peaked in 2010, when 51 newborns received the name.
Is Nicholai a boy or girl name?
Nicholai is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nicholai rising or falling?
Nicholai is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.