Nicol
Primarily a girl's name of Greek origin with 2,203 recorded births. Also given to 28 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname originating as a patronymic.
Nicol is a girl's and boy's baby name of Greek origin, a variant of Nicole, from the Greek Nikolaos, composed of nike (victory) and laos (people), meaning 'victory of the people.'
With over 2,200 recorded births, Nicol is a streamlined form of Nicole — dropping the final -e for a cleaner visual finish while preserving the name's classic sound. It's also used as a variant spelling of the Scottish surname Nicol (itself a form of Nicholas). Nicole Kidman, the Australian actress and Academy Award winner, has been one of the most glamorous international bearers of this name's family.
EtymologyShow more
Nicol is cataloged under the Greek naming tradition. Greek-origin names have traveled through mythology, early Christianity, and scholarly tradition to become fixtures in naming cultures worldwide.
In the U.S., Nicol has been recorded as a girl's name since 1956, with 2,203 total births. Browse the Greek names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Nicol was #3729 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5724, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 103 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 238 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 306 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 186 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 295 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 808 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 262 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 5 | — |
The Story of Nicol
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1970, Nicol is a Gen X staple. Girls named Nicol are most likely born between 1960 and 1980.
How rare is Nicol?
Only about 1 in every 163,636 babies born in 2024 was named Nicol — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1956, peaked in the 1970s with 808 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Nicol by the numbers
- Would fill 46 school buses
- Meeting one Nicol per day would take 6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(64 years, 1956–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | #5724 |
| 2023 | 27 | #4961 |
| 2022 | 21 | #5925 |
| 2021 | 19 | #6340 |
| 2020 | 14 | #7849 |
| 2019 | 15 | #7620 |
| 2018 | 15 | #7653 |
| 2017 | 11 | #9771 |
| 2016 | 16 | #7511 |
| 2015 | 21 | #6188 |
| 2014 | 25 | #5423 |
| 2013 | 42 | #3685 |
| 2012 | 24 | #5675 |
| 2011 | 37 | #4051 |
| 2010 | 32 | #4575 |
| 2009 | 26 | #5498 |
| 2008 | 28 | #5240 |
| 2007 | 25 | #5651 |
| 2006 | 31 | #4655 |
| 2005 | 30 | #4555 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Nicol as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Nicol has also been given to 28 boys in the U.S. since 1968.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nicol a boy's or girl's name?
When was Nicol most popular?
How popular is the name Nicol?
Can Nicol be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1956–2024