Nicolaus
Every Nicolaus since 1971 — 1,141 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nicolaus
Nicolaus 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 1971, 1,141 American babies have been named Nicolaus. Its peak came in 1998, when 47 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Nicolaus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nicolaus 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 | 9 | #8,721 |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 6 | #11,581 |
| 2019 | 10 | #8,042 |
| 2018 | 6 | #11,746 |
| 2017 | 15 | #5,988 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | 12 | #6,968 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8,598 |
| 2013 | 16 | #5,568 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7,396 |
| 2011 | 17 | #5,365 |
| 2010 | 19 | #4,977 |
| 2009 | 22 | #4,547 |
| 2008 | 21 | #4,660 |
| 2007 | 28 | #3,765 |
| 2006 | 21 | #4,464 |
| 2005 | 23 | #4,022 |
| 2004 | 21 | #4,218 |
| 2003 | 28 | #3,341 |
| 2002 | 31 | #2,995 |
| 2001 | 38 | #2,552 |
| 2000 | 33 | #2,787 |
| 1995 | 46 | #1,879 |
| 1990 | 38 | #2,004 |
| 1985 | 31 | #1,906 |
| 1980 | 30 | #1,896 |
| 1975 | 5 | #6,047 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Nicolaus
- Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomer · 1473–1543
- Nicolaus of Damascus Historian · -64–4
- Nicolaus Zinzendorf Religious figure · 1700–1760
- Nicolaus von Below Military personnel · 1907–1983
- Nicolaus Bruhns Composer · 1665–1697
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nicolaus in 2025?
Nicolaus 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 Nicolaus?
1,141 babies have been named Nicolaus in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nicolaus most popular?
Nicolaus peaked in 1998, when 47 newborns received the name.
Is Nicolaus a boy or girl name?
Nicolaus is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nicolaus rising or falling?
Nicolaus is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Nicolaus?
Well-known people named Nicolaus include Nicolaus Copernicus (astronomer), Nicolaus of Damascus (historian), Nicolaus Zinzendorf (religious figure).