Nikolaj
The Nordic spelling of Mikołaj, from the Greek for "victory of the people". Barely known in Poland: only about 130 men carry it, though births are ticking up, six boys last year.
Nikolaj Pronunciation
Nikolaj is pronounced nyee-KO-lahy (/ɲiˈkɔlaj/).
What Nikolaj means
Where Nikolaj comes from and what it has meant to the people who carry it.
Nikolaj comes from the Greek Nikolaos, built from nikē, "victory," and laos, "the people." The short meaning carries over cleanly: victory of the people. In Poland the name most often appears as Mikołaj, and Nikolaj reads as its Scandinavian cousin, the spelling worn in Denmark and Norway.
The Greek saint stands behind both forms. Nikolaos of Myra, the fourth-century bishop, became Sinterklaas in the Low Countries and Santa Claus further on. Polish children know him as Mikołaj, who leaves gifts on the sixth of December.
Nikolaj sits at a small crossing. It keeps the Greek root and wears the Scandinavian spelling. On a Polish class register the Nikolaj form stands apart from the Mikołaj beside it.
The meaning stays plain. Victory of the people, zwycięstwo ludu, from nikē and laos.
How many people are named Nikolaj
1 in 159300 men in Poland is named Nikolaj. 134 people carry it in the 2025 register: rank #2865 among male names.
Nikolaj's popularity over time
6 boys were given the name in 2025, ranking #883 among newborns. It has been climbing since 2023.
Where Nikolaj is most popular
Nikolaj is most popular in Pomeranian, 389% above the national average (2 boys born 2019–2025), followed by Lower Silesian (+358%) and Masovian (+103%).
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Pomeranian2 boys born+389%
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Lower Silesian2 boys born+358%
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Masovian2 boys born+103%
Nikolaj as a middle name
Nikolaj is a first name for 134 men in Poland and a middle name for another 20, an 87/13 split. In the men's middle-name ranking it sits 2008th, between Nikifor (20) and Nuri (20).
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#2006 Mạnh20
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#2007 Nikifor20
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#2008 Nikolaj20
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#2009 Nuri20
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#2010 Oluwaseun20