Nichol
Primarily a girl's name of Scottish origin with 2,900 recorded births. Also given to 22 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A Scottish and Irish surname transferred from the given name derived from the given name Nicholas.
Nichol is a girl's and boy's baby name of Scottish origin, a transferred surname derived from the given name Nicholas, meaning 'victory of the people.' It saw steady use in the mid-20th century as a streamlined alternative to Nicole.
The surname form gives Nichol a grounded, no-nonsense quality — familiar yet slightly unexpected as a first name.
EtymologyShow more
Nichol is cataloged under the Scottish naming tradition. Celtic names carry the echoes of ancient insular traditions, often drawing from nature, warfare, and mythology.
In the U.S., Nichol has been recorded as a girl's name since 1944, with 2,900 total births. Browse the Scottish names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Nichol has 47+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1944.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 69 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 268 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 971 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 1,428 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 153 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | — |
The Story of Nichol
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1979, Nichol is a Gen X staple. Girls named Nichol are most likely born between 1969 and 1989.
How rare is Nichol?
With 2,900 total births on record, Nichol remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1944, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 1,428 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Nichol by the numbers
- Would fill 60 school buses
- Meeting one Nichol per day would take 7.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(47 years, 1944–2014)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 | #15994 |
| 2009 | 5 | #19399 |
| 2008 | 9 | #12328 |
| 2007 | 5 | #19709 |
| 2006 | 8 | #13280 |
| 2005 | 7 | #14098 |
| 2003 | 7 | #13439 |
| 2002 | 7 | #13241 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11761 |
| 2000 | 13 | #7911 |
| 1999 | 15 | #6755 |
| 1998 | 19 | #5522 |
| 1997 | 24 | #4476 |
| 1996 | 22 | #4699 |
| 1995 | 12 | #7381 |
| 1994 | 22 | #4649 |
| 1993 | 25 | #4207 |
| 1992 | 41 | #2905 |
| 1991 | 33 | #3348 |
| 1990 | 55 | #2307 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Nichol as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Nichol has also been given to 22 boys in the U.S. since 1969.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nichol a boy's or girl's name?
When was Nichol most popular?
How popular is the name Nichol?
Can Nichol be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1944–2014