Surname Nikolic - Meaning and Origin
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Nikolic: What does the surname Nikolic mean?
The surname Nikolic is a common Slavic familial name of Serbian origin. It is derived from the male given name Nikola, which itself is derived from the Greek "nikos" meaning “victory”. It was especially popular in Slavic countries in the Middle Ages as a name for boys born on saint Nikola's day.
Nikolic is the 28th most common surname in Serbia. While it can be found in other countries due to immigration, it is heavily concentrated in the Balkans. It is also commonly found among Slovenes, Croats, Bulgarians, and Macedonians.
Modern-day members of the Nikolic family can trace their history to the Serbian medieval lords who used this surname following the Christianization of Serbia in the 10th and 11th centuries. The Noble House of Nikolic rose to prominence due to their success in military, religious, and diplomatic roles in the service of Serbia.
With its strong historical roots, the Nikolic surname is recognized as a prestigious and timeless symbol of Serbian identity. As a result, countless people carry the surname with a sense of pride. It is also believed to bring positive luck and strength to those associated.
Order DNA origin analysisNikolic: Where does the name Nikolic come from?
The last name Nikolic is most commonly found throughout the Balkan region of Europe. The countries with the highest populations of people with the surname Nikolic include Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro. The surname is also found in other countries that were formerly part of the Yugoslavian Republic, such as Macedonia, Slovenia, and Kosovo.
It is uncertain where the family name Nikolic originated from. Most likely, it began as a patronymic surnames that referred to the father of the named individual. The given name Nikolas served as an umbrella for the various Slavic variations, such as Nikolic, Nikolić, and Nikoly.
Nikolics living outside the Balkans are often descended from immigrants who have moved to other countries, including in the United States and Australia. In the US, according to Central Intelligence Agency data, the highest populations of Nikolics can be found in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.
The surname can also be found in other countries such as Austria, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. The sheer dispersal of the Nikolic surname in various countries makes it hard to determine an exact origin. The family name Nikolic is widespread throughout Europe, and is a testament to the nation's history and its vibrant culture.
Variations of the surname Nikolic
The surname Nikolic is derived from the given name Nikola, or Nicholas, which is of Greek origin, and it can be written in a variety of ways. In Serbia it is often spelt “Nikolic”, while in Croatia it is more commonly written as “Nikolic” or “Nikolich”. In Montenegro, it is more frequently written as “Nikolich” or “Nikoljić”.
Variants of the surname Nikolic include Nikolish, Nikolisz, Nikolis, Nicolich, Nicolaich, Nikolaiec, Nikolić, Nikolai, Nikoloff, Nikolov, Nikolaidis, Nikoloides, Nikolomes, Nikolou, Nikolaides, Nikolopoulos, Nikolaif, Nikolaidou, Nicolaou, Nikoles, Nicolus, Nicolae, Nicolaitis, Nikolaidi, Nikolici, and Nikulish.
Surnames of an identical origin to the Nikolic are also found in other countries around the world, including the Croatian surnames of Nikolac, Nikolaić, Nikolić, Nikolič, and Nikolich; the Bulgarian Nikolov, Nikolovski, and Nikolova; the Greek Nikolis, Nikolakis, and Nikolopoulos; and the Russian Nikolaev, Nikolaevich, and Nikolaeva.
Famous people with the name Nikolic
- Milan Nikolić: Serbian politician and former Prime Minister
- Adrijana Nikolić: Serbian singer
- Mile Nikolić: Serbian basketball player
- Jelena Nikolić: Serbian volleyball player
- Mihajlo Nikolić: Serbian actor
- Aleksandar Nikolić: Serbian footballer
- Slobodan Nikolić: Serbian former basketball player
- Dejan Nikolić: Serbian football manager
- Zoran Nikolić: Serbian basketball coach
- Senad Nikolić: Serbian footballer
- Kristina Nikolić: Serbian actress
- Nebojša Nikolić: Serbian David Bowie impersonator
- Dina Nikolić: Serbian handball player
- Marko Nikolić: Serbian footballer
- Ivan Nikolić: Serbian footballer
- Uroš Nikolić: Serbian comedian
- Bojan Nikolić: Serbian footballer
- Tamara Nikolić: Montenegrin singer
- Bojan Nikolić: Serbian photographer
- Jovan Nikolić: Serbian footballer