Kolya is a popular Ukrainian variant of the name Nikolai, which is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos. The name means "victory of the people" and has been widely used in Eastern Europe, particularly among the Slavic peoples. It gained prominence during the Soviet era due to its association with prominent historical figures like Nikolai Lenin. Kolya is often considered a friendly and approachable name, reflecting the warmth and familiarity it carries in Ukrainian culture.
The name Kolya experienced a dip in popularity between 1987 and 2002, with only half as many babies named Kolya born in 2002 compared to 1987.