Nicolai

At a Glance: Name: Nicolai – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: NIK-oh-ly

---

Nicolai is a boy's name pronounced NIK-oh-ly (IPA /ˈnɪkəlaɪ/). Social Security Administration records for the name go back to 1962, so it's been given to American babies for more than six decades. If you're weighing it for a child, the pronunciation alone tells you what you're working with day to day.

Meaning & Origin of Nicolai

We don’t have a meaning for Nicolai that passes our verification bar yet — so rather than repeat an unverified claim, we’re showing none until one is confirmed. Everything else on this page (popularity history, pronunciation where available, and the name art tool below) is real data.

How to Pronounce Nicolai

Phonetic: NIK-oh-ly   IPA: /ˈnɪkəlaɪ/

Popularity of Nicolai

Nicolai peaked at #1883 in 2015 with 78 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had slipped to #2581, with 52 babies recorded.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data via names_full.json, 1962–2024.

Make Nicolai Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Nicolai, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names without a catalog record, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Ambrose
• Basil
• Bishop
• Calix
• Cosmo
• Dimitri

FAQ

How do you pronounce Nicolai?

Nicolai is pronounced NIK-oh-ly (IPA: /ˈnɪkəlaɪ/).

Is Nicolai a popular name right now?

Nicolai peaked at #1883 in 2015 and is ranked #2581 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1962–2024.)

More Baby Name Inspiration

• Check any name’s popularity history
• Take the naming-style quiz
• Make art for a different name