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Nikola

Girl name · 181 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Nikola: 181 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 15 births in 2013.

The name Nikola is the Slavic and Serbian form of Nicholas, ultimately derived from the Greek *Nikolaos*, meaning "victory of the people." It is famously borne by Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer whose pioneering work on alternating current and electromagnetism inspired the Tesla car company and the tesla unit of magnetic flux density. Another notable bearer is Nikola Jokić, the Serbian basketball star and three-time NBA Most Valuable Player. The name shares its root with places such as Saint-Nicolas or Nikolaev, though no major location directly carries the Croatian/Serbian spelling. In Scotland, Nikola has been used steadily since the 1970s, often as a feminine alternative to Nicola or Nicole—though internationally it remains predominantly masculine, a dual-gender quality that adds to its modern appeal.

Girl 29 of 52 years

Peak year
201315 babies
Latest (2021)
#7923 babies
Total births
181since 1975
5-year trend
▼ 59%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2013 · 15
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).