Nicole

The French feminine of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos, which joins nike, victory, with laos, people. It was already in use in medieval France.

Nicole in 2025

Nicole was given to 803 babies in the United States in 2025, making it the 801st most popular name of the year. That is roughly one in every 4,129 babies born.

The history of Nicole

Nicole reached its highest point in 1985, when 23,043 babies were given the name, ranking 25th that year. Its best-ever ranking was 23rd, in 1982.

Across the 89 years of records since 1937, 596,465 babies have been named Nicole. Half of them were born before 1986, which places the name's centre of gravity with Millennials.

Nicole by decade

DecadeBabies named NicoleBest rank
1930s284,290
1940s6161,459
1950s1,3141,221
1960s18,64396
1970s145,30426
1980s211,31623
1990s136,38338
2000s54,71476
2010s22,324213
2020s5,823572

Where Nicole is heading

Nicole has fallen 62% over the past decade, from 2,116 babies in 2015 to 803 in 2025.

That is less than 5% of its 1985 peak — Nicole is now a rare name in the United States.

Names like Nicole

Names that rose and fell at the same time as Nicole.

Browse the most popular baby names