Nikolić (Serbian Cyrillic: Hиколић) is a South Slavic surname meaning "son of Nikola". It derived from the given name Nikola, which in turn came from the Greek Nikolaos, via the root Nicholas, meaning "victory of the people."> It is a patronymic surname common in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and other areas where South Slavic languages are spoken.Distribution and FrequencyAccording to available records, Nikolić is the third most frequent surname in Serbia. In Croatia, the 2011 census recorded 6,353 bearers of the surname. Its prevalence reflects the historic popularity of the name Nikola throughout the region, tied to the veneration of Saint Nicholas (a 4th-century bishop) and the influence of Orthodox and Catholic traditions.Notable BearersThe surname is shared by many prominent individuals, particularly from the Balkans:Aleksandar Nikolić (1924–2000) was a Serbian basketball player and coach, regarded as a pioneer of Yugoslav basketball.Ana Nikolić (born 1978) is a Serbian singer and television personality.Dragan Nikolić (1943–2016) was a celebrated Serbian actor of film, stage, and television.Jelena Nikolić (born 1982) is a Serbian volleyball player who captained the national team to a silver medal at the 2007 European Championship.Andrew Nikolic (born 1961), a retired Australian Army brigadier and politician, represents the diaspora connection.Maja Nikolić (born 1975) is a Serbian singer known for her work in folk music.Marijan Nikolić (born 1981) is a Croatian football player.Related SurnamesCognate surnames in other languages include the Russian Nikolaev and Nikolaeva, the Macedonian Nikolov and Nikolova, and in Slovak, Mikula and Mikulová.Meaning: "son of Nikola"Origin: South Slavic (Croatian, Serbian) patronymic surnameRoot Name: Nicholas (Greek Νικόλαος, "victory of the people")Primary Regions: Serbia (3rd most frequent), Croatia (6,353 carriers), Bosnia, Montenegro