Last Name Nicole

The surname Nicole is of French origin. It is a diminutive form of Nicolas, which is derived from the Latin name Nicholaus, itself an adaptation of the Greek name Nikolaos. The name Nikolaos means "victory of the people" in Greek, and it was borne by several notable saints, including Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century saint whose legacy has been influential in both Eastern and Western Christianity. As a result, the name Nicolas became popular in many Christian countries, and its diminutive forms like Nicole spread throughout France.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Nicole

The meaning and origin of the last name Nicole

The surname Nicole, derived from the given name Nicolas, is of French origin. It is an occupational name for a cobbler, from the Old French "nicol" or "nichole," which meant "victor of the people." In Middle English, this name evolved into Nichol, Nicholas, and eventually Nicole as a surname. The feminine form of Nicolas, Nicole, was also used as a given name in its own right, particularly in France and the French-speaking world. It gained popularity due to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor who is venerated as a saint by many Christian denominations. Over time, this name has been adopted by people in various regions, reflecting migration patterns and cultural exchanges.

Geographical distribution of the last name Nicole

The surname "Nicole" is predominantly of French origin and is most commonly found in France, particularly in regions such as Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. It has also spread to other French-speaking countries like Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland due to immigration and colonization. Outside Europe, the surname Nicole can be found among populations of French descent in various parts of the world, including North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania. In the United States, it is more prevalent in states with a significant French-Canadian population like Louisiana and Michigan. The name has also been Anglicized to variations such as Nicol, Nicoll, and Nichols in English-speaking countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Nicole

The surname Nicole, which is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos meaning "victory of the people," has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some common versions include Nicolas, Nicola, Nichols, Nicholson, Nicolai, Niccoli, Nikolaj, Nikolaisen, Nikolaitis, Niclas, and Niquille. These variations may appear as given names or surnames in various parts of the world, reflecting its origin from the Greek name Nikolaos. It is important to note that these variations can also result from cultural assimilation, migration, and changes in spelling conventions over time.

Famous people with the last name Nicole

Notable individuals with the surname Nicole include:

1. Cindy Nicole Crawford, an American model and actress who was one of the first models of the Supermodel era during the 1990s. She has been on over 500 magazine covers, including 10 years straight on the cover of Vogue Italia.

2. Nicolas Sarkozy, a French politician who served as President of France from 2007 to 2012. He was previously Minister of the Interior, Minister of Finance, and leader of the conservative Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).

3. Nicole Hockley, an Australian-American advocate for gun control in the United States. She lost her six-year-old son, Dylan, in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Since then, she has been active in advocating for stronger gun laws.

4. Nicole Kidman, an American-Australian actress known for her roles in films such as "To Die For," "Moulin Rouge!," and "The Hours," for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

5. Nicole Scherzinger, a singer-songwriter and dancer who was a member of the group The Pussycat Dolls and later had a successful solo career. She has also starred in several musical theater productions on Broadway and in the West End.

Genealogical research on the last name Nicole

The surname Nicole, derived from the Greek Nikolaos meaning "victory of the people," has roots that trace back to medieval Europe. Originally a given name, it began to be used as a surname during the High Middle Ages, around the 11th and 12th centuries. In France, it became increasingly popular due to the widespread veneration of Saint Nicholas. The name spread across Europe with French migrations and the Crusades. Notable figures with the last name Nicole include French explorer Jacques Nicolas Bellin, known for his maps of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, and English mathematician Isaac Newton's second wife, Jemima Gilbert Nicolson, who was of French Huguenot descent. The surname Nicole is most common in France, where it ranks among the top 500 names. In Canada, it's also popular due to French colonization. Today, the name can be found worldwide among descendants of French settlers and immigrants.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Nicole"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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