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Niko

Boy name · 65 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Niko: 65 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 12 births in 2023.

Niko is widely recognised as a short form of Nicholas, from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.” Its lively, clipped sound gives it a fresh, international feel that has made it popular across many cultures – particularly in Finland, where it stands as an independent given name. Famous bearers include Croatian football manager Niko Kovač and the celebrated Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani, whose stylised folk scenes are admired worldwide. The name also echoes in the Cypriot capital Nicosia, whose name ultimately shares the same victorious root. While Niko can appear in other traditions – for instance as a Japanese name meaning “two children” – for most English and Scottish speakers it remains a friendly, modern take on a classic Christian name.