Nixon

What does Nixon mean?

Nixon carries a clear, literal meaning as a patronymic name derived from the personal name Nicholas. It started as a family name meaning "son of Nichol" or "son of Nicholas", so the core idea is familial descent from someone called Nicholas or Nichol.

As a given name it feels brisk and assertive. It combines the familiar root that links to Nicholas with a modern surname-as-first-name style. The result is a name that sounds confident, slightly unconventional, and easy to wear on a child or an adult.

Historical Context

Nixon began life as an English patronymic surname. It developed from a diminutive or pet form such as Nichol or Nix, itself linked to the medieval personal name Nicholas. The suffix "-son" made the name literal: the son of Nichol. Over the centuries it remained primarily a family name in England, Scotland and Ireland.

In recent decades there has been a steady trend of turning surnames into given names. That social change brought names like Nixon into use as first names. The switch from surname to forename gives the name a modern, slightly Anglo heritage feel. The name is also widely known because of public figures who bear the surname, which can influence associations in different regions.

Popularity of Nixon over time

In 2025, Nixon was given to 206 boys in the US. Nixon has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now an uncommon boys' name in the US.

What do parents think of Nixon?