Chinese name for Nicholas
Nicholas is usually written 尼古拉斯 (ní gǔ lā sī) in Chinese. That is a phonetic transliteration: it copies the sound, so Chinese speakers read it as a foreign name. If you want a name that feels native, here are authentic Chinese given names inspired by Nicholas.
Nicholas in Chinese, by sound
尼古拉斯
ní gǔ lā sī
Fine for writing your English name on a Chinese form. It is not a Chinese given name, and the characters were picked for sound, not meaning.
Authentic Chinese names inspired by Nicholas
Real given-name characters from our curated library. A full Chinese name puts a one-character surname first, for example 林 (Lín) + 宁楷.
宁 (níng) opens with the n sound of Nicholas and 楷 (kǎi) gives the name a model, upright feel.
楠 (nán) echoes the n at the start of Nicholas and 柯 (kē) gives a steady branch to grow on.
About the name Nicholas
Nicholas comes from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning victory of the people.
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Find my Chinese nameFrequently asked questions
What is Nicholas in Chinese?
The usual phonetic version of Nicholas is 尼古拉斯 (ní gǔ lā sī). It copies the sound, so Chinese speakers read it as a foreign name. Authentic Chinese given names inspired by Nicholas include 宁楷 (níng kǎi), 楠柯 (nán kē), 荣安 (róng ān).
How do you write Nicholas in Chinese characters?
Phonetically, Nicholas is written 尼古拉斯. A native-feeling Chinese name is different: a surname followed by one or two given characters chosen for meaning, such as 宁楷.
What is a good Chinese name for someone called Nicholas?
Pick characters that real Chinese people are named with and that carry a meaning you like. 宁楷 (níng kǎi): 宁 (níng) opens with the n sound of Nicholas and 楷 (kǎi) gives the name a model, upright feel. 楠柯 (nán kē): 楠 (nán) echoes the n at the start of Nicholas and 柯 (kē) gives a steady branch to grow on. 荣安 (róng ān): 荣 is the flourishing of a people and 安 their peace, which is exactly the victory Nicholas names.
Why sound-based names fall flat: Chinese name vs. transliteration.