Nichols
From Nichol, medieval vernacular form of the given name Nicholas + the patronymic suffix -s.
Every Nichols since 1914 — 758 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nichols
Nichols is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1914, 758 American babies have been named Nichols. Its peak came in 1987, when 55 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Nichols stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nichols year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 5 | #13,899 |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 7 | #10,558 |
| 2006 | 5 | #13,433 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 5 | #12,194 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9,108 |
| 2001 | 15 | #5,068 |
| 2000 | 12 | #5,811 |
| 1995 | 20 | #3,402 |
| 1990 | 23 | #2,842 |
| 1985 | 36 | #1,716 |
| 1980 | 24 | #2,196 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 7 | #3,411 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 5 | #3,800 |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 5 | #4,707 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,136 |
| 1915 | 5 | #4,221 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nichols mean?
From Nichol, medieval vernacular form of the given name Nicholas + the patronymic suffix -s.
How popular is the name Nichols in 2025?
Nichols did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Nichols?
758 babies have been named Nichols in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nichols most popular?
Nichols peaked in 1987, when 55 newborns received the name.
Is Nichols a boy or girl name?
Nichols is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nichols rising or falling?
Nichols has been roughly stable over the past decade.