Nikolai

Updated: October 3, 2023 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Nikolai is a commanding and compelling first name. With its balanced combination of hard consonants and firm vowels, it is an appealing alternative to names like Nicholas and Colin. Nikolai has an authoritative tone that makes it traditional favorite among royalty in countries ranging from Russia to Denmark. The name also has a fun role in entertainment and popular culture. Nikolai is a character on television's Six Feet Under), and Nikolai Delphiki is an important character in the Ender's Game series. Keep reading to learn more about this baby name.

Meaning of the Name Nikolai

Nikolai is the Russian and Slavic variation of Nicholas and means “victory of the people”. The name derives from the Greek word nikē (meaning “victory”) and loas (meaning “people”). Nikolai is the name of the patron saint of Russia. This saint is also a patron of children, sailors, merchants, and the poor.

According to legend, Nikolai anonymously threw three bags of gold through the window of a poor man's house, thereby providing the daughters with dowries and sparing them a life of disgrace. These stories of gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus through Sinterklaas (the Dutch word for “Sint-Nicolaas” or “Saint Nick”). Symbols for Nikolai include the crozier (a hooked staff for shepherding) and gold coins to disperse to the poor.

Nicknames for Nikolai

The name Nikolai evokes feelings of tradition and triumph. For such a strong name, there's a variety of fun nicknames you can use. We've compiled a list of suggestions below, but feel free to choose one that best suits the Nikolai in your life.