Nicholas

Alternative forms

• Nicolas
• Nickolas, Nikolas (usually of non-English origin)

Etymology

From Middle English Nicholas, from Old French Nicholas, from Latin Nīcolāus, from Ancient Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos), from νίκη (níkē, “victory”) + λαός (laós, “people”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈnɪk.ə.ləs/, /ˈnɪk.ləs/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Proper noun

Nicholas (plural Nicholases)

1. A male given name. Best known for St. Nicholas of Myre, on whom Father Christmas is based.
   • 1591, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals):
     : Act II, Scene I:

     Sirrah, if they meet not with Saint Nicholas' clerks, I'll give thee this neck.

   • 1871–72, George Eliot, Middlemarch, Chapter 53

     I must call you Nick - we always did call you young Nick when we knew you meant to marry the old widow. Some said you had a handsome family likeness to old Nick, but that was your mother's fault, calling you Nicholas. Aren't you glad to see me again?

2. A patronymic surname​.

Anagrams

• halocins, lichanos

Alternative forms

• Nicolas, Nicholaus

Etymology

From Old French Nicholas, from Latin Nīcolāus, from Ancient Greek Νικόλαος (Nikólaos).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈnikɔlas/, /ˈnikɔlau̯s/

Proper noun

Nicholas

1. A male given name associated with Saint Nicholas of Myra.