 Christening 'Saint' Spoons were once common gifts given at the time of Baptism. They were a useful gift which helped teach children about their name-day saints.Spoon London, 1910 St Nicholas Center Collection |
 German name book: Klaus Nicole St Nicholas Center Collection |
 German name book: Liebe Nicole! St Nicholas Center Collection |
 Italian name booklet: Il mio name Nicola St Nicholas Center Collection |
 Brass spoon, Enland St Nicholas Center Collection |
The use of the name "Nicholas" was very rare before St. Nicholas' time, but it became widespread as devotion to Nicholas spread throughout Europe. A multitude of names originated from "Nicholas," as children were named for popular saints. Names developed from both the beginning (Nichol) and the ending (Cholas) of Nicholas. These variations are in many languages and appear as surnames as well as Christian names.
The name Nicholas is a combination of the words for "victory" and "people." So it can mean "victory of the people" or "power of the people." In addition, "laos" originates in Greek a word meaning "stone" or "rock."
It is said that those who bear Nicholas' name are gifted and intelligent and will succeed—their strengths are to be devoted, balanced optimists; weaknesses, to be somewhat dazed and subject to sudden shifts in mood.
Names Derived From "Nicholas"
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BULGARIAN CATALONIAN CZECH DANISH DUTCH ENGLISH FINNISH FRENCH FRISIAN |
GERMAN GREEK HUNGARIAN IRISH ITALIAN NORWEGIAN POLISH PORTGUGUESE ROMANIAN ROMANSH RUSSIAN SCANDINAVIAN SLAVONIC SPANISH SWEDISH Welsh |
