Nike

Gender: Feminine
Origin: Greek Νικη
Meaning: “victory.”
Eng (NYE-kee); Grk (NEE-kay); Germ (NEE-keh)

The name comes directly from the Greek word for victory.

It was borne in Greek mythology by the goddess and personification of Victory, her Roman counterpart being Victoria. She was the daughter of Pallas and Styx and the sister of Cratos (Strength), Bia (Force) and Zelus (Zeal). She was believed to fly around battlefields on a chariot awarding glory and fame to victors.

Coincidentally, Nike can also be a Nigerian name meaning, “cherished.”

The name has experienced usage in modern Greece, Russia, Israel and Germany. In Germany, her popularity may be due to Nike Wagner (b.1945) the great-granddaughter of Richard Wagner.

It is currently the 323rd most popular female name in Germany, (2011).

The Russian and Belarusian form is Nika Ника.

It is also the name of the shoe company which was named for the Greek goddess.