Surname Nikoley - Meaning and Origin
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Nikoley: What does the surname Nikoley mean?
The last name Nikoley is of Bulgarian origin, indicating that it is a Slavic-speaking family, likely of the Orthodox Christian faith. It is derived from the word ‘Nikolay’, which is a combination of the Greek words ‘nikos’ (victory) and ‘laos’ (people). The name may have been given to a first-generation ancestor to celebrate a victorious battle in which he led his people to victory.
The modern meaning of the name is ‘victory of the people’, and it is a popular and meaningful choice for Bulgarian families. The name today is connected with the long history of Bulgarian military victories, stirring patriotic pride among those who bear this name and offering respect to their ancestors in times of trouble. The name also has a certain religious significance due to its Greek origins, often serving as a reminder of the strength of God’s power to protect His people.
Today, there are Nikoleys found all over the world. The name is a powerful reminder of Bulgarian heritage and of the courage possessed by each individual of the family. To bear the name of Nikoley is to consider oneself a descendant of strong and determined people, who have overcome many obstacles and come out victorious.
Order DNA origin analysisNikoley: Where does the name Nikoley come from?
The last name Nikoley is a relatively rare surname, but it has the most prevalence in Russia and Ukraine. In these countries, Nikoley is most commonly a patronymic name formed from the Russian male name Nikolai. In Russia, approximately 0.002% of the population has the Nikoley surname, and in Ukraine, it is estimated to be 0.001% of the population.
Outside Russia and Ukraine, the Nikoley surname is much less common. It can be found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada, but in much smaller numbers. For example, in the United States, there are an estimated 255 people with the Nikoley surname, accounting for approximately 0.00001% of the population.
Beyond Russia, Ukraine, and English-speaking countries, the Nikoley surname is also present in Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and several other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. However, its numbers are very small compared to the Russian and Ukrainian populations.
While the Nikoley surname is relatively rare, it has been around for hundreds of years and is continuing to exist today. Its unique origins and the fact that it is primarily concentrated in Russia and Ukraine make it an interesting part of genealogy and personal identity.
Variations of the surname Nikoley
The surname Nikoley is of mostly Eastern European origin, deriving from the same root as the Greek and Slovenian surname Nikole, as well as the Czech surname Nikl. It is also thought to be related to a number of other surnames, such as Nikolov, Nikolaj, Nikov, Nikolic, and Niculescu, all of which share the same root.
Variants of the Nikoley surname are spelled slightly differently in different regions, with variations like Nikody, Niekle, Nicouly, Nikouly, Nikolau, and Nikelee being commonly used.
The Eastern European roots of the name have led to a huge variety of surnames of the same origin, both phonetically similar and completely distinct. Variants of the same root include Niikolayev, Nikozhev, Nycole, Nikolly, and Nykolet.
The Greek version of the name Nikoley is 'Nikola', a spelling found in numerous parts of Greece and Russia. Similarly, in Croatia, Nikolic is a common spelling.
In other Germanic countries, the surname takes on a different form. In Germany and Austria, the Nikoley surname is more commonly spelled Nikolo or Nikolowsky, while in the Netherlands Niikolayev is more common.
All of these different spellings and surnames share the same origin, and some connections can even be made between them. However, while the Nikoley surname has its roots in a single source, it has taken on a life of its own, and is now wildly varied in both pronunciation and spelling.
Famous people with the name Nikoley
- Kevin Nikoley: an American professional football coach and former player.
- Petri Nikoley: a Finnish professional basketball player.
- Sergey Nikoley: a Russian American artist.
- Paul Nikoley: a Canadian writer and broadcaster.
- Ben Nikoley: an American professional ice hockey player.
- Greg Nikoley: an American professional soccer player.
- Jim Nikoley: an American retired professional football player.
- David Nikoley: an American Olympic level figure skater.
- Ilya Nikoley: a Russian professional ice hockey player.
- Ivanka Nikoley: a Yugoslavian jazz and balance artist.
- Boris Nikoley: a Soviet football player.
- Fyodor Nikoley: a Lithuanian individual free skier and double gold medalist.