# Nicholas

/ˈnɪkəɫəs/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nicholas
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common name for a boy or man.

For teachers: A masculine given name derived from the Greek 'Nikolaos', meaning 'victory of the people'.

- My friend Nicholas prefers to be called Nick by his family.
- The historical records indicate that Nicholas was a remarkably popular name throughout the medieval period across much of Europe.

### 2. Saint Nicholas

noun · CEFR B1

a famous Christian saint known for his kindness and for giving gifts.

For teachers: A fourth-century Christian saint and Bishop of Myra, traditionally regarded as the patron saint of children and the inspiration for Santa Claus.

- Many children leave their shoes out for Saint Nicholas to fill with treats.
- The legend of Saint Nicholas evolved over centuries, eventually merging with other folklore to create the modern figure of Father Christmas.

Teaching tip: Learners may encounter various regional versions of this name, such as Nicolas (French/Spanish) or Nikolai (Russian).

## Examples

- My friend Nicholas lives in London.
- The office manager, Nicholas, sent an email to everyone about the upcoming holiday party.
- Historical records indicate that Nicholas was a popular name among the Byzantine nobility before spreading throughout Western Europe during the Middle Ages.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.