Nicoll is a given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic surname "MacNicol", which means "son of Nicol". The name Nicol itself is a diminutive of Nicholas, meaning "victory of the people" in Greek.
The MacNicol clan was one of the many Highland clans that played significant roles in Scottish history. According to tradition, they were descended from an Irish prince named Niall who settled in Scotland during the 12th century. The clan's territories were located in what is now known as Inverness-shire and Ross-shire.
The name Nicoll has been used as a given name since at least the 17th century, although it was more commonly used as a surname until the mid-20th century. Today, it is still most commonly found in Scotland but can be found elsewhere around the world.
In literature and popular culture, several characters named Nicoll have appeared, such as Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian Renaissance political philosopher, and Nicolaus Copernicus, the Polish astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe. These figures may have contributed to the name's association with intelligence, wisdom, and achievement.
Overall, Nicoll is a unique and historically significant given name with Scottish roots that has been carried by notable individuals throughout history.
Between 1969 and 2001, the name Nicoll experienced a total of 56 births in the United States. The peak year for this name was 1974 with 9 births, followed by a decline to 7 births in both 1976 and 1981. There were also notable years such as 1972 with 8 births and 1991 with 5 births. Overall, the popularity of the name Nicoll has been relatively consistent over these decades, although it may not be considered one of the most common names during this period.