Given name & surname
Nikki
“of the victorious people”
In English use, Nikki is a diminutive of Nicole. In Greek use, Nicole carries the interpretation “of the victorious people.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Nikki is a diminutive of Nicole. In Greek use, Nicole carries the interpretation “of the victorious people.”
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English use, Nikki is used as an affectionate form of Nicola.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1925. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Nikki through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 41,005
- 896 boys · 40,109 girls
- Most popular year
- 1972
- 1,736 babies
- 2025
- 44
- #3,504 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −35%
- Cooling
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 44 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,504 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 34.6% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 1,704 in 1972. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (8). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 43,487 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Nikki’s family of names
In English usage, Nikki is a diminutive of Nicole. Nikki has a related form in Nick. Nikki has a related form in Nicole.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 12
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 2
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Nikki
- Nikki ReedAmerican actressborn 1988
- Nikki BlonskyAmerican actressborn 1988
- Nikki SixxAmerican musician (born 1958)
- Nikki CoxAmerican actressborn 1978
- Nikki GiovanniAmerican poet, writer and activist1943–2024
- Nikki GlaserAmerican comedian (born 1984)
- Nikki HavenaarJapanese association football playerborn 1995
- Nikki DeLoachAmerican actress and singerborn 1979
- Nikki CrossBritish professional wrestlerborn 1989
Characters named Nikki: Nikki Fernández (the American mystery fiction television series Lost).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Nikki, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Nicol
“of the victorious people”
>99% girls
Neely
“the champion” · “a champion”
>99% girls
Nicolle
“of the victorious people”
>99% girls
Marcy
“dedicated to Mars, the god of war”
>99% girls
Jodi
Jodi is a feminine given name from French.
12% boys · 88% girls
Marci
“dedicated to Mars, the god of war”
>99% girls
Christy
“follower of Christ” · “one who bears Christ inside”
1% boys · 99% girls
Ami
“one who is industrious and hardworking”
23% boys · 77% girls