The name Nicholas is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "people of victory".

Nicholas is derived from the Greek Nikolaos, a name that evolved from the components nikē, meaning “victory”, and laos, “people.” It shares origins with Nike, the name of the Greek goddess of victory. Nicholas is also a New Testament name that is well-used in literature, such as in Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby.

And then there's St. Nicholas who, in addition to bringing bags of toys once a year, is also the patron saint of schoolchildren, mechanics, sailors, scholars, brides, bakers, travelers, and Russia, where the name was a star of the czarist dynasty.

Nicholas, though it has lost some ground (it was in the Top 10 from 1993 to 2002), is still a popular classic that would make an attractive, solid choice.

Along with this historical depth, Nicholas, and nicknames Nick and Nicky, project an aura of masculine panache, and has long been a favorite of writers for rich boys, Romeos, thugs and detective characters.

Offshoots Cole and Colin have long had lives of their own. Short form Nico is hot and getting hotter.