Nicole is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "Nicolaus," which means "victory of the people." The name Nicolaus was originally a nickname for someone who brought victory to their people, and it was later adapted into Nicole as a feminine form.
The name Nicole has been in use since at least the Middle Ages. It gained popularity during the Renaissance period when many people were named after saints. Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, is one of the most famous people associated with the name Nicolaus. However, it's important to note that Nicole was not directly derived from the saint's name but rather from the Latin word that shares its root.
Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals named Nicole. Some examples include:
* Nicole Kidman, an Australian actress known for her roles in films such as "Moulin Rouge!" and "The Hours."
* Nicole Richie, an American television personality, fashion designer, author, and singer.
* Nicole Eggert, an American actress best known for her role on the TV series "Baywatch."
Today, Nicole remains a popular name around the world. Its meaning and origin continue to inspire parents who choose this name for their daughters.
The given statistics illustrate the annual number of births for girls named Nicole in the United States over a period of nearly nine decades, from 1937 to 2023.
Starting with just nine births in 1937, the popularity of the name Nicole began to grow steadily throughout the following decades. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, there were more than 800 births each year for girls named Nicole. The peak of popularity occurred between 1962 and 1972, with the highest number of births recorded in 1972 at 15,753.
However, after reaching its zenith in the early 1970s, the popularity of the name Nicole began to decline gradually. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the annual number of births for girls named Nicole fluctuated between approximately 16,000 to 23,000.
The turn of the century brought a more significant decrease in popularity for the name Nicole. Between 2000 and 2023, the total number of births for girls named Nicole dropped from around 8,500 to just over 900, reaching an all-time low of 940 births in 2023.
In summary, while the name Nicole was highly popular among parents in the United States during the mid-20th century, its popularity has since declined significantly. Over the entire period from 1937 to 2023, there were a total of 592,717 births for girls named Nicole in the United States.