Nicolau

Nicolau is the Portuguese, Galician, and Catalan form of Nicholas, derived from the 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 of Myra, a fourth-century bishop whose legendary generosity made him one of the most popular saints in both Eastern and Western Christian tradition. Related forms in other languages include Nicolás in Spanish, Nicolò and Nicola in Italian, and Nikolaas in Dutch.