English

Alternative forms

• Nicolas
• Nickolas, Nikolas (usually of non-English origin)

Proper noun

Nicholas ‎(plural Nicholases)

1. A male given name. Best known for a legendary St. Nicholas, associated with Father Christmas.
   • 1593, William Shakespeare, King Henry VI, Part 1: Act II, Scene I:

     Sirrah, if they meet not with Saint Nicholas' clerks, I'll give thee this neck.

   • 1871–72, George Eliot, Middlemarch, Chapter 53

     I must call you Nick - we always did call you young Nick when we knew you meant to marry the old widow. Some said you had a handsome family likeness to old Nick, but that was your mother's fault, calling you Nicholas. Aren't you glad to see me again?

2. A patronymic surname​.

Related terms

• Santa Claus
• male given names: Colin, Claus, Klaus, Nichol, Nicol
• pet forms: Nick, Nicky, Nico, Kolya
• female given names: Colette, Nicola, Nicole, Nicki, Nikki

Translations