Niki is a diminutive of various names, most notably Nicole and Nikolaos. It's pronounced as /ˈniːki/ in English, with the stress on the first syllable. The name Niki has gained popularity independently from its roots, particularly in Europe and North America. It can be used for both boys and girls, although it is more commonly associated with females. There are several notable individuals named Niki, such as former Formula One racing driver Niki Lauda and Swiss tennis player Nicolas "Niki" Pilic.
The name Niki experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the decades, with a notable peak in 1972 when there were 13 recorded births. The highest frequency was seen between 1970 and 1984, with an average of around 8-9 births per year. However, this popularity declined significantly afterwards, with only a handful of births each year from 1985 onwards. Despite these fluctuations, the total number of births named Niki over the period is quite substantial at 229.