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!
POPULAR NAMES CONTAINING NIC
NICHOLAS
The given name of Santa Claus, and a former Top Ten favorite in the US, Nicholas is a classic by every measure.
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.
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 feminine form of the name.
INTERNATIONAL NICs
NICOLO, NICCOLO
An Italian take on Nicholas, Niccolo hasn’t caught on, even as parents have embraced so many boy names ending with O.
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
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.
You might remember it from 2003 bestselling novel The Namesake, as well as 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.
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. I’d argue the same for kids named Carter or even 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.
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 and re-published on February 3, 2022.
What about Yannick and Annick, common among French speakers?
I’ve always loved the name Yannick and I’ve heard it used for both males/females.
Good suggestions – they definitely belong on this list!
Also, add Dominique to this list, both for boys and girls, depending on where you’re from.
A great addition – thank you!
My BIL is named Nicolin, which my MIL said was listed in a baby name book as the form of Nicholas that leads to Colin. When he and his wife (whose first name is a smoosh of her parents’ names and starts with M) were expecting, I suggested Monica as a girl’s name to continue the smoosh tradition, but they declined. That was the beginning and end of my unsolicited baby name advice career 🙂
While Nicholson Baker isn’t one of my favorite authors, his first name is an interesting way to get to Nick.
Also even in America, Nicola/Nikola are more common on boys.
Nicola: 30 girls, 27 boys
Nikola: 9 girls, 94 boys
This clearly tips the scale in favor of boys.
Nicola is masculine in PLENTY of languages, I’d say she’s female in just a few to be honest.
And I think Nick isnt anywhere near “cool” these days.
But the Nicks are, aren’t they? I think of Nick Hornby and Nicolas Cage and Nick Cave …
I prefer Nico to Nick as a nickname, but prefer Nick to Nikki, so
Nico > Nick > Nikki
I’ll add Annick to the Annika-style nick names; there are also elaborations of Annick such as Dianick and Mariannick. I’ve also heard the name Nicolasa but don’t know much about its origins.
Nicolasa is fascinating …
Nicole is a mighty fine name ;). Being a Nicole born in 1984 I went through school as Nicole A. and didn’t like it that much. So it has affected my naming style dramatically. I do however love the sound of my name, and never liked to be called anything but Nicole.. I had a few friends try and use Nikki, but it never stuck. That being said, I actually love Nico, Nicolette and Colette. I would more likely use them as middle names rather than first as it creates massive confusion.. I have also forbidden us from having a Richard IV(my husband is Richard III), so it would be hypocritical to name a kid after me but not after my husband. With that being said Nico is still one of my favorite boy names. I feel like it would be creepy to have Nicole and Nico… like Norma and Norman Bates, would he be doomed to be a Psycho killer?
This is one of those on my “Will probably never use, but always appreciate” list. Patrick is on that list to. I really love plain old Nicholas, but my experience with Nicks in general has been positive. It strikes me as a really friendly name.
Nick was my great-grandmother’s maiden name, and it’s my uncle’s middle. It’s always been on my list as a middle. I think it makes a really nice first, too. I think Nicholas is really handsome. My husband would never go for it though, way too “normal”. I really wish there was a girls’ variation I liked though because I’ve always loved Nixie, but I don’t feel like it’s enough for the birth certificate.