Nicola is a unisex given name of Latin origin, derived from the male given name Nicholas. The name Nicholas itself comes from the Greek name Nikolaos, which means "victory of the people." This name was popular among early Christians due to Saint Nicholas, who was a bishop in Myra (modern-day Turkey) during the 4th century. He is revered as a saint by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
In Italy, Nicola is traditionally considered a male given name, while in France and Belgium, it is commonly used for girls. The female form of the name is Nicole or Nicoline.
Throughout history, Nicola has been associated with various historical figures and notable individuals. For instance, Nicola di Lerno was an Italian painter during the late Renaissance period. There's also Nicola Zingarelli, an Italian composer known for his compositions in the Neapolitan style.
Despite its popularity in some regions, Nicola remains relatively uncommon as a given name globally. However, it has been used by various cultures throughout history and continues to be chosen by parents today due to its strong meaning and rich historical significance.
The name Nicola has been consistently present in the United States for over a century, with the first recorded birth occurring in 1920. The popularity of the name Nicola peaked between 1967 and 1972, during which time there were over 140 births each year. However, since then, the number of births has steadily declined.
From 1973 onwards, the number of births per year hovered around the 100 mark, with a few peaks here and there. For example, in 1980 there were 137 births, but this was followed by a steady decline to 54 births in 2000.
The most recent data available shows that there were 19 births in 2023. This represents a significant decrease from the peak years of the mid-20th century, but it is still higher than some other years on record.
Overall, Nicola has been a consistent and relatively popular name choice for parents in the United States over the past century. Despite fluctuations in popularity, thousands of children have been named Nicola since 1920.