Nicole is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the masculine given name Nicholas, which means "victory of the people" in Greek. The name Nicole has been used historically as both a given name and a surname.
The name Nicole gained popularity during the Middle Ages in France, where it was often used as a diminutive form of the name Nicolete, which was itself a diminutive form of the name Nicole. Over time, Nicole evolved into an independent given name, becoming popular among families throughout Europe.
In literature and culture, the name Nicole has been associated with notable figures such as Nicole Kidman, the Australian actress, and Nicole Eggert, the American actress known for her role in the television series "Baywatch." Additionally, the name Nicole was used by French author Gustave Flaubert as the protagonist of his novel "Madame Bovary."
Today, Nicole remains a popular choice among parents seeking a classic yet timeless feminine given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Nicole has consistently ranked among the top 1000 most popular names for girls in the United States since the 1960s.
Overall, the name Nicole is rooted in French culture and history, with its origins tracing back to the Middle Ages. Despite its historical ties, Nicole continues to be a relevant and widely-used given name today, beloved by parents around the world for its classic elegance and enduring popularity.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Nicole has shown a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. The highest number of babies named Nicole was born in 1984 with 11 newborns sharing this name. Conversely, the lowest recorded number of births for girls named Nicole occurred in 1975 and again in 1990, with only 5 such births each year.
Between these years, there were several fluctuations in the popularity of the name Nicole:
* The name gained some traction in the late 1970s to early 1980s, with a steady increase from 6 births in both 1977 and 1978 to a peak of 11 births in 1984.
* However, this popularity was not sustained. After reaching its zenith in 1984, the number of babies named Nicole decreased slightly to 5 births each year between 1985 and 1986.
* The name experienced a moderate resurgence between 1987 and 1989, with numbers ranging from 7 to 8 births per year.
Overall, looking at the data from 1975 to 1990, we can observe that the name Nicole was given to a total of 87 baby girls in the United States during this period. This indicates that while the popularity of the name fluctuated over time, it remained relatively common throughout these years.