Nicholas, originating from the Greek name Nikolaos, means "victory of the people". It was popularized by St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity and gift-giving. In English-speaking countries, it is often associated with Christmas due to its connection with Santa Claus, who shares the same name and spirit of giving. The name gained further popularity through figures like Nikola Tesla, the renowned inventor and engineer, and Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. Variations of this name include Nick, Nicky, Nico, and Cole among others.
"Nicholus experienced significant popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s with peaks of 47 births both in 1978 and 1979. Since then, its usage has declined steadily, reaching a low of 5 or fewer births per year after 2006."