Names containing Nic are a wide and varied bunch.

Nicholas and Nicole qualify as classics. They come from a Greek phrase meaning “victory of the people.” Anyone who has ever worn sneakers probably associates the sound with Nike, the goddess of victory. It’s a traditional and triumphant sound.

We might not even think of Dominic or Veronica as names containing Nic, but the sound is undeniably there – as is the nickname potential.

And then there are the rarities, names like Nicodemus and Nicosia, seldom heard, but made more wearable by the possibility of shortening them to Nic.

If you’re honoring a loved one named Nick, or just a fan of the sound, this list is for you!

NICHOLAS

The given name of Santa Claus, and a former Top Ten favorite in the US, Nicholas is a classic by every measure. While the name Nicholas is, by far, the most popular of the Nic names, it’s not the only choice.

NICOLAS

A slightly streamlined version of Nicholas, preferred in Spanish and French, but also steadily popular in the US.

NICO

Usually – but not exclusively – masculine, Nico can be short for nearly any of the names containing Nic. But it stands on its own, too. Actress turned singer Nico, born in Germany, is known for her work with the Velvet Underground in the 1970s. 

The first name Nico is used for little boys in far greater numbers now. Retired Formula One driver Nico Rosberg might get credit for some of that popularity.

Niko is a variation also used in English, along with Neeko.

NICOLE

A Top Ten staple for most of the 1980s, Nicole is the French feminine form of Nicholas. It’s generally accepted as the primary female form of the name.

INTERNATIONAL NICs

NICOLO, NICCOLO

An Italian take on Nicholas, Niccolo hasn’t caught on in the US, even as parents have embraced so many boy names ending with O. Niccolò, however, ranks in the current Top 100 in Italy.

NICOLA

Masculine in Italian, but feminine in plenty of other languages, Nicola has never quite caught on in the US. Elsewhere in the English-speaking world and across Europe, it’s a different story. In fact, Nicola ranked in the British Top 100 in the 1990s.

NIKOLAI, NICHOLAI

A Slavic spin on Nick, worn by creative forces like composer Rimsy-Korsakov and writer Gogol. Socialite Nicky Hilton Rothschild was born Nicholai, but she’s one of the very few women with the name.

NIKHIL

Not all of the names containing nic are related to Nicholas. Nikhil comes from Sanskrit, and means whole.

2003 bestselling novel The Namesake featured the name, as did the 2006 movie starring Kal Penn in the title role.

NIKITA

Masculine in Russian, Nikita is another import that leans feminine to American ears. It’s not just the ‘a’ ending. It’s also the 1990 Luc Besson action film La Femme Nikita, followed by a 1997 television series and a 2010 reboot of the same.

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SURNAME NICs

NICHOLSON

It brings to mind legendary actor Jack Nicholson. But it also fits right in with so many favorites for boys right now, from Jameson to Harrison to Jackson.

NICKLEBY

A surname made famous by Charles Dickens’ character Nicholas Nickleby. 

NIXON

Speaking of Jackson, if Jaxon can catch on, why not Nixon? Before you can say Watergate, remember that it was fifty (gasp!) years ago, meaning a child born in the 2020s probably doesn’t think of Nixon as a presidential surname. (Equally true for names like Carter, Kennedy, and Reagan.)

RARE NAMES CONTAINING NIC

NICA

A short form for nearly any Nic name.

NICANOR

Several distinguished figures from the ancient world answered to Nicanor. Parents today might recognize it from 1978 war drama, The Deer Hunter. It featured a very young Christopher Walken’s Oscar-winning turn as Nikonar “Nick” Chevotarevich.

Ernest Hemingway named his son John Hadley Nicanor Hemingway – better known as Jack. Hadley was from his mom’s name; Nicanor, from a famous Spanish matador.

NICODEMUS

A New Testament figure, Nicodemus is a Greek name meaning victory of the people. It’s also famous as the name of the leader of the rat colony in Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

NICOMEDES

A mathematician, a saint, a Spartan commander, and a string of ancient rulers all answered to Nicomedes. Today the name is nearly extinct, but could fit right in with Atticus.

NICOSIA

Pronounce the capital of Cyprus almost like fricassee: NIK eh SEE eh. There’s also a Sicilian city by the name. It may come from Nicholas. Or maybe they just share a root: the Greek nike, meaning victory.

NIKE

The Greek goddess of victory inspired the perfect name for an athletic shoe company: Nike. Since it adopted the name and iconic swoosh logo in the early 1970s, it’s become of the world’s biggest brands. It fits in with first names like Chloe and Penelope, but the strong ties to the brand – and the athletes that make it a household name – argue against choosing Nike as a child’s name now. 

ELABORATED NIC NAMES

NICOLETTE and NICOLETTA

Adding -ette and -etta are popular ways to elaborate feminine names. The actor spells her name Nicollette Sheridan, with two Ts and two Ls.

NICOLINE, NICOLINA

Rare in English, but heard in other languages, from Dutch to Italian to Bulgarian. (Though in the last, it would be Nikolina with a K.)

HIDDEN NICs

ANNIKA

Plenty of Ann- elaborations include a nic sound. Besides Annika (and Anika and Anica), there’s also Anneke, Annick and Yannick. Yannick, in particular, is unisex.

DANICA

A Slavic name meaning morning star, race car driver Danica Patrick introduced it to the English-speaking world. In many Slavic languages, the c would make a ts sound – dah NEETS ah. But in American English, Danica belongs with the names containing nic.

DOMINIC

A handsome choice with an Italian vibe, Dominic has become a Top 100 favorite in the twenty-first century. Feminine forms like Domenica are possible, but rare, as is not-quite-nic name Dominique.

FINNICK

A heroic Hunger Games invention that combines the best of Finn and Nick.

JENICA and JENNICA

Part-Jennifer, part-Erica, with a nod to Jessica, too, Jenica spiked in the 1980s. While it feels like a mash-up, it coincides with a Romanian name – and definitely brings the nic.

MONICA

A former Top 100 favorite, Monica brings to mind Friends for many. But the ancient, saintly name has plenty of staying of power – and many a non-90s namesake.

VERONICA

Another name with deep roots, Veronica started out as Pherenike – bringing victory. It became Berenike, Berenice, and then Bernice. But at the same time, we mixed Berenice with the Latin phrase vera icon – true image. Veronica is the delightful, classic-meets-quirky result.

HOLD the NICs

Nicholas spin-offs abound. But sometimes? They drop the nic entirely! While these aren’t names containing nic, they might appeal to families seeking to honor a Nicholas or Nicole.

COLE

A modern staple for our sons, Cole brings to mind Old King and Nat King, as well as many more recent bearers of the name.

COLETTE

Another Nicholas/Nicole spin-off, obvious when you consider the elaborated Nicolette.

COLIN

A Nicholas nickname dating back to the Middle Ages, Colin sounds gentlemanly and polished.

NICHELLE

Take former chart-topper Nicole and Michelle, factor in Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols and this not-quite-Nic name makes the list.

What are your favorite names containing nic?

First published May 3, 2013, this post was revised on February 3, 2022 and July 31, 2024.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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20 Comments

  1. I’ve heard Nicola on plenty of girls. I don’t know of any boys with my name. There were three Nicola’s in my year at secondary school and they were all girls, the only other Nick’s were boys Nicholas and Nikki (yes that’s spelt correctly)

    I tend to go by Nicky (personal preference), though I’m known as Nic, Nik, Nicky and just Nicola.

    I was supposed to be Nikki, but my Dad wanted to give me a full name and didn’t like Nicole. I was born in 87 and used to hate my name but I’ve really come around to it.

    I am aware it’s also a masculine name as a bar tender told me in Egypt that my name is a boys name.

    1. Educate yourself, Nicola is Nicholas in Italian and NEVER a female form. The only reason it is a woman’s name is some in Germany and England presumed the “a” ending was a female form, which it is not. The female form is Nicoletta. Andrea is another example that is a male name used by some for girls. In Greek Andrea means manly.

      1. Well … that’s the way it goes. It’s tempting to try to set hard, bright lines when it comes to names and gender, but rarely does it work that way in real life.

        Arguing that Andrea is masculine in the US is a stretch – it’s simply been used by hundreds of thousands of parents for their daughters, compared to a few hundred sons. Nicola, too, is used more commonly for girls. We perceive both as feminine forms of traditional masculine names, based on the way we experience and construct language and personal names in American English.

        Names shift over time and place, and insisting that, say, Luca is exclusively feminine because that’s the way it’s used in Hungary is a little pointless.

        The real issue isn’t that masculine names are sometimes given to women, or that masculine forms in one language are perceived as feminine in another. The problem lies in believing that having a “girl’s” name is a problem for a boy. My sense is that this has changed dramatically over the last decade or so, but it’s still a challenge, and that’s unfortunate.