Meaning
The meaning of Nicodemus
Nicodemus joins Greek elements connected with victory and the people. The Greek lexicons give slightly different English glosses, including victorious among his people and conqueror of the people. Victory of the people is a useful short rendering of the same elements. None of these means born again, although the name is closely associated with Jesus' teaching about new birth. That association comes from the conversation in John 3, not from the name's linguistic roots. A Greek name also does not make its biblical bearer a Greek rather than a Jew: John introduces Nicodemus as a Pharisee and a Jewish leader.
John 3
The visitor who comes to Jesus at night
Nicodemus first appears as an established religious figure who wants to speak with Jesus. He acknowledges that Jesus' signs point to God's presence, but the conversation quickly moves beyond that opening observation. Jesus speaks about being born again, and Nicodemus asks how a person can be born when already old.
His questions allow the passage to examine the difference between ordinary birth and life through the Spirit. The scene is remembered for the teaching it contains as much as for the visitor himself. It also places an experienced teacher in the position of someone who still has questions to ask.
John says the visit takes place at night but does not give a single explicit reason for that timing. Fear, privacy, and the Gospel's imagery of light and darkness are matters readers discuss. The fact of the nighttime visit is firmer than any one explanation of Nicodemus's motive.
John 7
A question about hearing someone fairly
Nicodemus appears again when the authorities are disputing Jesus' identity. He asks whether their law judges a person without first hearing him and learning what he has done. The others respond dismissively, asking whether Nicodemus is also from Galilee.
This is a restrained intervention, not a long public declaration of faith. Even so, he challenges the rush to judgment. For a family drawn to the name, this scene can carry an association with listening carefully and speaking up when a discussion becomes unfair. That is a reading of his action, separate from the literal meaning of his name.
John 19
Nicodemus at the burial of Jesus
After the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea receives permission to take Jesus' body. Nicodemus arrives with a large quantity of myrrh and aloes, and the two prepare the body with linen and spices. John explicitly identifies him as the man who first visited Jesus by night.
The later scene gives the earlier encounter a continuation. Nicodemus is now present in an act of care after Jesus' death. Readers often understand the three appearances as a movement from questioning toward commitment. The Gospel records these actions without supplying a complete account of his inner life, baptism, or later years.
Name distinction
Nicodemus and Nicholas are related, but different
Nicodemus and Nicholas both have Greek roots involving victory. Their second elements differ: demos in Nicodemus and laos in Nicholas both relate to people. The similarity helps explain why the names can feel related, but Nicodemus is not a longer spelling of Nicholas.
Their biblical connections are also different. Nicodemus belongs to John's Gospel; the name behind Nicholas appears as Nicolas in Acts 6. Saint Nicholas of Myra is a later Christian figure again. Choosing between the names means choosing between distinct sounds and histories, not simply choosing a formal and an informal version of one name.
Sound
How to pronounce Nicodemus
Sound
How to pronounce Nicodemus
- Phonetic
- nik-uh-DEE-mus
- IPA
- /ˌnɪkəˈdiːməs/
4 syllables · stress: nik-uh-DEE-mus · ends in a consonant
Forms
Variants and nicknames
Forms
Variants and nicknames
Alternate spellings
- Nikodemos
Languages
Nicodemus in other languages
Languages
Nicodemus in other languages
- Greek
- ΝικόδημοςNikodemosThe Greek form behind English Nicodemus; the English pronunciation guide does not represent modern Greek pronunciation.
Christian background
Christian and biblical background
Nicodemus has a direct Christian connection through his encounters with Jesus and his part in the burial narrative. His questions are part of a passage central to Christian discussion of spiritual birth, while his later appearances concern fair judgment and care for the dead. A naming association with thoughtful faith can therefore be grounded in particular scenes. The biblical account remains more useful than an invented list of personality traits: it shows what Nicodemus asks and does, rather than predicting what a child with his name will be like. For the wider distinction, see what makes a name biblical.
Bearers
Notable people named Nicodemus
Bearers
Notable people named Nicodemus
biblical
Nicodemus in John's GospelThe Pharisee and Jewish leader who visits Jesus, argues for a hearing, and assists at his burial
Naming history
Naming tradition and history
Naming history
Naming tradition and history
The English form Nicodemus preserves a longer classical shape than names such as Mark or Luke. Its four syllables place the main stress on DEE. The biblical bearer is the clearest reference point for this guide; the Greek spelling Nikodemos explains the alternative k and the ending -os. When comparing forms, think about the language in which the name will be spoken as well as the spelling on paper. A shortened family name can be chosen separately without changing which full name appears on official records.
Sibling fit
Sibling name suggestions
For families
For families looking at Nicodemus
Nicodemus may suit parents who want a substantial New Testament name with a questioning, thoughtful story. Its length makes it worth testing with a middle name and surname: say the whole combination at a natural speaking pace, then try calling just Nicodemus. The four-syllable rhythm is an important part of its character. Families who prefer to use the full form can introduce it that way from the start; those who expect an everyday short form can decide that together. The strongest naming reason is the particular Gospel story, rather than a claim that the name is unique or that it guarantees wisdom.
Common questions
What does Nicodemus mean?
It is a Greek name combining victory and people, often rendered victory of the people. Lexicons also give closely related glosses such as victorious among his people.
Was Nicodemus one of the twelve apostles?
No. John introduces him as a Pharisee and Jewish leader. He is remembered for his conversations and actions concerning Jesus, not as a member of the Twelve.
Did Nicodemus help bury Jesus?
Yes. John 19 describes him bringing myrrh and aloes and helping Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus' body with linen and spices.
How do you pronounce Nicodemus?
The English pronunciation is nik-uh-DEE-mus, with four syllables and the main stress on DEE.
Sources
Sources for Nicodemus
Sources
Sources for Nicodemus
- Greek entry 3530: Nicodemus, including ThayerSupports: Greek elements and alternative glosses; Greek form.
- John 3, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: night visit; new birth conversation; Moses reference.
- John 7, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: fair-hearing question; scripture quotation.
- John 19, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: burial account; Joseph of Arimathea distinguished.
- Nicodemus: English pronunciation, Collins English DictionarySupports: English pronunciation.
- Greek entry 3532: Nicolas, including ThayerSupports: comparison with Nicholas.
Last reviewed September 17, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.