Boy name · Greek
Klaus
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: victory of the peopleKlaus is a boy's name that comes from Greek and means "victory of the people". It is used in German, Scandinavian and Dutch.
- Meaning
- Victory of the people
- Origin
- Greek
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- KLOWS (German)
Meaning and origin of Klaus
As a boy's name, Klaus comes from Greek and means "victory of the people". It is used in German, Scandinavian and Dutch.
In German, say KLOWS. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Klaus on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Klaus on 5 lists.
“Victory of the people; Greek. German short form of Nicholas”
From Classic boy names, classic boy names from around the world
“German short form of Nicholas”
From Reindeer names, boy reindeer names
“Victory of the people; Greek, short for Nikolaus. Say KLOWS”
From German boy names, old-fashioned German boy names
“Victory of the people; Greek. German short form of Nikolaus”
From Old man names, grandpa names from around the world
“A Santa-style name for a bearded buck”
From Goat names, boy goat names
How popular is Klaus?
- US rank in 2025
- #2,245
- 63 babies, 37 per million boys
- Best rank
- #1,353 in 1968
- Most babies: 84 in 2022
- Babies since 1953
- At least 1,471
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 0 per million |
| 1950s | 4 per million |
| 1960s | 12 per million |
| 1970s | 8 per million |
| 1980s | 5 per million |
| 1990s | 4 per million |
| 2000s | 6 per million |
| 2010s | 17 per million |
| 2020s | 39 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #4,052 | #2,405 | #2,824 | #2,101 | #2,309 | #1,948 | #1,880 | #2,207 | #2,407 | #2,245 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Klaus
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- KlaasVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- MikołajVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NeacelVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NiccolòVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NicholasVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NicoVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NicodemusVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NicolasVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NielsVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NiklasVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NikodemVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
- NikolaiVictory of the people (Greek, boy)
Names spelled like Klaus
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- KauʻiThe youthful one (Hawaiian, unisex)
Names with a similar meaning
- NicoleVictory of the people (Greek, girl)
- ViktoriaVictory, triumph (Latin, girl)
- BereniceBringing victory (Greek, girl)
- VeronikaBringing victory (Latin, girl)
- ColetteVictory of the people (Greek, girl)
- NicoletteVictory of the people (Greek, girl)
- SigmundVictory protection (Old Norse, boy)
- SigridBeautiful victory (Old Norse, girl)
- VictoriaVictory, triumph (Latin, girl)
- AmarjeetImmortal victory (Sanskrit, unisex)
Middle names for Klaus
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Greek
- AlexanderDefender of men (Greek, boy)
- LucasMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
- ChristianFollower of Christ (Greek, boy)
- LeonA lion (Greek, boy)
- HectorHolding fast (Greek, boy)
- TheoGift of God (Greek, boy)
- AlexisHelper, defender (Greek, boy)
- LucaMan from Lucania (Greek, boy)
- PeterRock, stone (Greek, boy)
- SebastianMan of sebaste, venerable (Greek, boy)
Klaus: common questions
What does the name Klaus mean?
Klaus comes from Greek and means "victory of the people".
Is Klaus a boy or girl name?
Klaus is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Klaus come from?
Klaus comes from Greek and means "victory of the people". Today it is used in German, Scandinavian and Dutch.
How do you pronounce Klaus?
In German, say KLOWS. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Klaus?
Klaus ranked #2,245 in the US in 2025, with 63 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Klaus?
Forms of Klaus with the same meaning and origin include Klaas (Dutch), Mikołaj (Polish), Neacel (Scottish), Niccolò (Italian) and Nicholas (English).
What middle names go with Klaus?
Middle names that flow well with Klaus include Archer, Burton, Carlton, Conrad and Lamar. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.