Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Nicole

The name Nicole is the French feminine version of the boy’s name Nicholas. Nicholas, in turn, is the anglicized spelling of the Greek name “Nikolaos” which is derived from “nikē” (victory) and “laos” (people). So Nicole basically translates to ‘people of victory.’ Variants of the name in France also include Colette and Nicolette and the Latinate form is Nicola. Nicole has been in use since the Middle Ages when names borne by popular saints were used as a protective measure for children. St. Nicholas in particular was a guardian of little people, and he would soon become known as Sinterklaas by way of the Dutch.

All About the Baby Name – Nicole

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME NICOLE

The number Four personality is marked by stability and discipline. This is the personality that follows the rules and is conservative by nature.  They have an earth-bound energy that prefers to build things methodically on top of firm foundations; they don't cut corners. Fours take their time and don't like to be hurried. But the outcome of their endeavors is likely to result in some strong and useful structure, which makes them great engineers and inventors. Fours are anything but frivolous or controversial. This is a trustworthy, straight-forward personality that embodies dedication and organization. They are the backbone and anchor in their relationships, careers and communities. They are tidy, punctual, and full of integrity. Hard-work comes naturally to a Four and they are immensely reliable. This is the personality you can always count on.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME NICOLE

The name Nicole first makes her appearance on the U.S. popularity charts in 1942, although it takes the name about 10 years before it sticks to the charts. By the late-1950s, Nicole is clearly on an upward momentum. The name experiences the height of its popularity in the 1980s when it hits the Top 10 list of most favored girls’ names for most of the decade. As we’ve entered the 21st century, Nicole has reversed her course and is now losing ground. The name finally falls out of the Top 100 list in 2008 and appears to be waning with each passing year. This is a good sign for parents who don’t like over-used names but still value the timelessness and tradition of a pretty moniker. Nicole has a certain French sophistication and simple elegance. The pet forms Nicky and Niki also add options for the little tomboys out there.

Quick Facts

ON NICOLE

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

French

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

92

PRONUNCIATION:

ni-KOHL

SIMPLE MEANING:

Victorious people

Characteristics

OF NICOLE

Dependable

Solid

Practical

Hard-working

Industrious

Studious

Conservative

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Nicole

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME NICOLE

Nicole Diver is the beautiful, wealthy protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1934 novel Tender Is the Night. She is married to psychiatrist Dick Diver, whom she met while in an asylum being treated for a mental breakdown after being abused by her father. Not a very auspicious beginning, and it doesn’t get much better from there. As expatriate Americans living in the south of France during the Roaring Twenties, the Divers lead a life of gayety, sophistication and glamour, under which lurk secrecy, darkness and shadows. Nicole is a sensitive and intelligent young woman, who is aware that her relationship with her husband is an extension of the doctor/patient one, that he is throwing away his enormous talents on an innocuous lifestyle, and that she herself longs to do something and be someone of significance. Ultimately it is Nicole who survives, leaving Dick for another man, while he sinks deeper into hopelessness and alcoholism. It is no coincidence that Fitzgerald’s own wife, the beautiful Southern belle, Zelda Sayre, had had a nervous breakdown about two years prior to the publication of this novel, and had to be institutionalized, while Fitzgerald himself was fast becoming an alcoholic.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME NICOLE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Nicole


Popular Songs

ON NICOLE

Nicole
a song by Ash

Nicole's Song
a song by Virginia Coalition

Famous People

NAMED NICOLE

Nicole Anderson (actress)
Nicole Kidman (actress)
Nicole Scherzinger (singer)
Nicole Polizzi (reality TV star, aka "Snooki")
Nicole Eggert (actress)
Nicole Sullivan (comic/actress)
Nicole Renee Taylor (model known as Niki Taylor)
Nicole Brown Simpson (O. J. Simpson's ex wife)
Nicole Richie (reality TV star)
Nicole Miller (fashion designer)
Nicole Bobek (figure skater)
Nicole Anderson (actress)
Nicole Kidman (actress)
Nicole Scherzinger (singer)
Nicole Polizzi (reality TV star, aka "Snooki")
Nicole Eggert (actress)
Nicole Sullivan (comic/actress)
Nicole Renee Taylor (model known as Niki Taylor)
Nicole Brown Simpson (O. J. Simpson's ex wife)
Nicole Richie (reality TV star)
Nicole Miller (fashion designer)
Nicole Bobek (figure skater)
Nicole Anderson (actress)
Nicole Kidman (actress)
Nicole Scherzinger (singer)
Nicole Polizzi (reality TV star, aka "Snooki")
Nicole Eggert (actress)
Nicole Sullivan (comic/actress)
Nicole Renee Taylor (model known as Niki Taylor)
Nicole Brown Simpson (O. J. Simpson's ex wife)
Nicole Richie (reality TV star)
Nicole Miller (fashion designer)
Nicole Bobek (figure skater)

Children of Famous People

NAMED NICOLE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Nicole

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME NICOLE

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Nicole