boys' name · peaked 1960

Nick

A diminutive of the male given name Nicholas.

Every Nick since 1880 — 50,589 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.250.50.75118801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#1,447
among boys
Babies in 2025
124
named Nick
Peak year
1960
1,098 babies
All-time total
50,589
since 1880

The story of Nick

Nick is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,447 in 2025 with 124 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 50,589 American babies have been named Nick. Its peak came in 1960, when 1,098 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.

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 Nick stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Nick year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 124 #1,447
2024 130 #1,421
2023 143 #1,334
2022 137 #1,372
2021 133 #1,382
2020 122 #1,421
2019 141 #1,307
2018 123 #1,429
2017 147 #1,247
2016 175 #1,117
2015 152 #1,214
2014 157 #1,185
2013 174 #1,079
2012 157 #1,166
2011 154 #1,165
2010 176 #1,096
2009 197 #1,001
2008 236 #891
2007 227 #887
2006 251 #814
2005 233 #813
2004 208 #855
2003 203 #854
2002 201 #830
2001 198 #827
2000 217 #768
1995 217 #726
1990 232 #663
1985 255 #551
1980 317 #472
1975 447 #370
1970 5 #8,904 666 #304
1965 6 #6,302 718 #281
1960 1,098 #242
1955 471 #338
1950 422 #329
1945 491 #266
1940 409 #277
1935 5 #4,713 456 #255
1930 630 #210
1925 6 #4,812 691 #203
1920 5 #5,554 699 #194
1915 642 #177
1910 124 #209
1905 52 #275
1900 49 #300
1895 29 #344
1890 45 #253
1885 38 #272
1880 40 #269

Famous people named Nick

  1. Nick Nolte Actor · b. 1941
  2. Nick Drake Musician · 1948–1974
  3. Nick Holonyak Physicist · b. 1928
  4. Nick Simper Musician · b. 1945
  5. Nick Castle Film director · b. 1947

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Nick mean?

A diminutive of the male given name Nicholas.

How popular is the name Nick in 2025?

Nick ranked #1,447 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 124 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Nick?

50,589 babies have been named Nick in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Nick most popular?

Nick peaked in 1960, when 1,098 newborns received the name.

Is Nick a boy or girl name?

Nick is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Nick rising or falling?

Nick has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Nick?

Well-known people named Nick include Nick Nolte (actor), Nick Drake (musician), Nick Holonyak (physicist).

Names like Nick

Compare Nick with similar names →