Nicole
Borrowed from French Nicole, the feminine form of Nicolas (“Nicholas”).
Every Nicole since 1937 — 596,465 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nicole
Nicole is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #383 in 2025 with 803 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1937, 596,465 American babies have been named Nicole. Its peak came in 1985, when 23,043 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 Nicole stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nicole 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 | 803 | #383 | — | — |
| 2024 | 964 | #319 | — | — |
| 2023 | 942 | #326 | — | — |
| 2022 | 996 | #323 | — | — |
| 2021 | 955 | #341 | — | — |
| 2020 | 1,163 | #266 | — | — |
| 2019 | 1,365 | #229 | 5 | #13,553 |
| 2018 | 1,429 | #217 | — | — |
| 2017 | 1,664 | #184 | — | — |
| 2016 | 1,954 | #162 | — | — |
| 2015 | 2,116 | #154 | — | — |
| 2014 | 2,540 | #128 | — | — |
| 2013 | 3,352 | #91 | 8 | #9,408 |
| 2012 | 2,661 | #114 | — | — |
| 2011 | 2,655 | #117 | 5 | #13,749 |
| 2010 | 2,570 | #123 | — | — |
| 2009 | 2,770 | #119 | 7 | #10,652 |
| 2008 | 3,291 | #106 | 5 | #14,016 |
| 2007 | 3,873 | #86 | 10 | #8,002 |
| 2006 | 4,322 | #74 | 13 | #6,359 |
| 2005 | 4,993 | #56 | 12 | #6,510 |
| 2004 | 5,741 | #43 | 17 | #4,946 |
| 2003 | 6,238 | #40 | 13 | #5,784 |
| 2002 | 6,974 | #37 | 17 | #4,648 |
| 2001 | 7,820 | #36 | 14 | #5,323 |
| 2000 | 8,563 | #31 | 21 | #3,875 |
| 1995 | 12,277 | #19 | 22 | #3,161 |
| 1990 | 17,954 | #13 | 42 | #1,863 |
| 1985 | 22,966 | #7 | 77 | #1,053 |
| 1980 | 19,917 | #7 | 86 | #972 |
| 1975 | 14,275 | #10 | 63 | #1,049 |
| 1970 | 10,691 | #30 | 51 | #1,162 |
| 1965 | 898 | #298 | 9 | #2,926 |
| 1960 | 243 | #648 | — | — |
| 1955 | 120 | #894 | — | — |
| 1950 | 89 | #955 | — | — |
| 1945 | 61 | #992 | — | — |
| 1940 | 25 | #1,578 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Nicole
- Nicole Kidman Actor · b. 1967
- Nicole Oresme Philosopher · 1323–1382
- Nicole, Duchess of Lorraine Politician · 1608–1657
- Nicole Fontaine Politician · 1942–2018
- Nicole Scherzinger Singer · b. 1978
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nicole mean?
Borrowed from French Nicole, the feminine form of Nicolas (“Nicholas”).
How popular is the name Nicole in 2025?
Nicole ranked #383 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 803 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nicole?
596,465 babies have been named Nicole in the United States since 1937, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nicole most popular?
Nicole peaked in 1985, when 23,043 newborns received the name.
Is Nicole a boy or girl name?
Nicole is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nicole rising or falling?
Nicole is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Nicole?
Well-known people named Nicole include Nicole Kidman (actor), Nicole Oresme (philosopher), Nicole, Duchess of Lorraine (politician).