Nicolaas

Nicolaas is the Dutch form of Nicholas, derived from the ancient Greek name Nikolaos, composed of the elements nike, meaning victory, and laos, meaning people, giving the overall sense of victory of the people. The name spread widely across medieval Europe through the veneration of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra in Lycia whose legendary generosity made him one of the most popular saints in both Eastern and Western Christianity. Closely related forms include Nikolaas, the German Nikolaus, the English Nicholas, and the Latinized Nicolaus.