Niklaus

Niklaus is a German-language Swiss form of Nicholas, ultimately 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 of Myra, a 4th-century bishop whose legendary generosity made him one of the most popular saints in both Eastern and Western Christianity. Notable bearers include the Swiss mathematician Niklaus Bernoulli and computer scientist Niklaus Wirth, inventor of the Pascal programming language. Closely related forms include Nikolaus, Nikolaas, Niklas, and Klaus.