UK girl's name
Nichol
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "people's victory".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2006. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nichol is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nichol popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2006 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4157, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 5 births.
This profile covers 19 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 to 2006. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 19 living people in the UK are called Nichol. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2007 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nichol ranked #4157 for girls in England and Wales in 2006, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 5 girls were registered as Nichol.
- • About 19 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nichol as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4157
2006
Births in 2006
4
Latest year
Peak year
1996
5 births
Estimated living
19
2026
Meaning
What does Nichol mean?
The given name Nichol has its origins in the Greek language, deriving from the word "Nikolaos," which means "victor of the people." This name gained popularity during the Byzantine era and was widely used across various regions, including parts of modern-day Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Nichol can be traced back to the 4th century AD, when it was bestowed upon Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children and sailors. This historical figure, also known as Nicholas of Myra, lived in the ancient city of Patara (modern-day Turkey) and was renowned for his generosity and kindness.
Throughout history, the name Nichol has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the most prominent figures bearing this name was Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543), the Polish astronomer who revolutionized our understanding of the solar system by proposing the heliocentric theory, which placed the Sun at the center of the universe.
Another remarkable individual was Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464), a German philosopher, theologian, and mathematician who made significant contributions to the fields of philosophy and science during the Renaissance period.
In the realm of literature, Nicholas Nickleby is the protagonist of the novel of the same name, written by Charles Dickens in 1838-1839. This iconic character has become a symbol of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
The name Nichol has also been carried by notable figures in the arts, such as Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947), a Russian painter, philosopher, and writer who was influential in the development of modern art and philosophy.
Throughout its history, the name Nichol has undergone various spellings and variations, such as Nickolas, Nikolas, and Nicolaus, reflecting the diverse cultural and linguistic influences it has encountered across different regions and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nichol over time
The chart below shows babies named Nichol registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2006. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Nichol, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2006, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nichol by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nichol was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4035 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3235 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Nichol
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nichol: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nichol in the UK right now?
In 2006, Nichol was ranked #4157 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Nichol most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 5 babies registered as Nichol in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nichol?
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "people's victory".
How many people are called Nichol in the UK?
A total of 19 babies have been registered as Nichol across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.