Nicola
A feminine version of Nicholas, first used in the 20th century.
Every Nicola since 1908 — 8,090 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nicola
Nicola is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #8,720 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1908, 8,090 American babies have been named Nicola — about 63% girls and 37% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1972, when 236 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Nicola stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nicola 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 | 12 | #8,720 | 28 | #3,920 |
| 2024 | 15 | #7,500 | 35 | #3,372 |
| 2023 | 19 | #6,343 | 29 | #3,856 |
| 2022 | 13 | #8,392 | 37 | #3,258 |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,893 | 35 | #3,342 |
| 2020 | 10 | #10,074 | 26 | #3,994 |
| 2019 | 16 | #7,245 | 27 | #3,966 |
| 2018 | 15 | #7,660 | 28 | #3,857 |
| 2017 | 11 | #9,773 | 26 | #4,064 |
| 2016 | 21 | #6,133 | 20 | #4,891 |
| 2015 | 21 | #6,190 | 31 | #3,566 |
| 2014 | 33 | #4,427 | 18 | #5,203 |
| 2013 | 16 | #7,653 | 22 | #4,421 |
| 2012 | 37 | #4,097 | 23 | #4,347 |
| 2011 | 30 | #4,781 | 27 | #3,864 |
| 2010 | 33 | #4,471 | 23 | #4,332 |
| 2009 | 34 | #4,447 | 28 | #3,796 |
| 2008 | 39 | #4,065 | 37 | #3,148 |
| 2007 | 47 | #3,518 | 37 | #3,118 |
| 2006 | 40 | #3,837 | 30 | #3,502 |
| 2005 | 50 | #3,159 | 26 | #3,691 |
| 2004 | 70 | #2,439 | 33 | #3,056 |
| 2003 | 60 | #2,664 | 40 | #2,566 |
| 2002 | 76 | #2,194 | 33 | #2,868 |
| 2001 | 58 | #2,623 | 42 | #2,371 |
| 2000 | 54 | #2,732 | 43 | #2,284 |
| 1995 | 77 | #1,849 | 42 | #2,011 |
| 1990 | 94 | #1,602 | 42 | #1,862 |
| 1985 | 87 | #1,444 | 34 | #1,780 |
| 1980 | 109 | #1,211 | 31 | #1,839 |
| 1975 | 129 | #969 | 43 | #1,335 |
| 1970 | 120 | #1,034 | 47 | #1,215 |
| 1965 | 58 | #1,455 | 40 | #1,217 |
| 1960 | 30 | #2,134 | 32 | #1,421 |
| 1955 | 41 | #1,610 | 10 | #2,706 |
| 1950 | 30 | #1,754 | 13 | #2,172 |
| 1945 | 38 | #1,306 | 7 | #2,920 |
| 1940 | 9 | #3,139 | 12 | #2,154 |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,655 |
| 1930 | — | — | 9 | #2,941 |
| 1925 | — | — | 16 | #2,058 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5,555 | 25 | #1,536 |
| 1915 | — | — | 31 | #1,178 |
| 1910 | — | — | 5 | #1,775 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Nicola
- Nicola Pisano Sculptor · 1225–1284
- Nicola Amati Politician · 1596–1684
- Nicola Porpora Composer · 1686–1768
- Nicola Abbagnano Philosopher · 1901–1990
- Nicola Romeo Engineer · 1876–1938
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nicola mean?
A feminine version of Nicholas, first used in the 20th century.
How popular is the name Nicola in 2025?
Nicola ranked #8,720 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nicola?
8,090 babies have been named Nicola in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nicola most popular?
Nicola peaked in 1972, when 236 newborns received the name.
Is Nicola a boy or girl name?
Nicola is used for both: about 63% of babies named Nicola have been girls and 37% boys.
Is the name Nicola rising or falling?
Nicola is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Nicola?
Well-known people named Nicola include Nicola Pisano (sculptor), Nicola Amati (politician), Nicola Porpora (composer).