Klaus

The masculine first name Klaus is an independent German short form of Nikolaus, a variant of the ancient Greek name Nikolaos (Νικόλαος). Translated directly into German, it means 'victory of the people' or 'winner of the people'.

What does the name Klaus mean?

The masculine first name Klaus is an independent German short form of Nikolaus, a variant of the ancient Greek name Nikolaos (Νικόλαος). Translated directly into German, it means 'victory of the people' or 'winner of the people'. The origins of the two-part name lie in Ancient Greek, derived from the elements níkē (νίκη) for 'the victory' and laós (λαός) for 'the people', 'the army', or 'the warrior people'. Klaus has been a widely used first name in the German-speaking world since the Middle Ages, but it also appears in Nordic countries such as Denmark and Norway. In Germany, Klaus is now considered an old German name that has fallen out of fashion and is hardly ever given as a baby name. The name peaked in popularity in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s, when it was among the most common boys' names. By the mid-20th century, the name became increasingly out of fashion, although it was still often used as part of compound names, such as Klaus-Dieter or Klaus-Jürgen. One of the most famous bearers of the name was the German pirate Klaus Störtebeker, around whom numerous legends still circulate today. A somewhat less common spelling variant is Claus. Well-known and particularly widespread diminutive forms in the Low German and Dutch regions are Claas and Klaas. Other variants of Klaus include Clas, Claes, Clus, Klas, Klaes, and Klos.

Where does the name Klaus come from?

Etymology As a short form of Nikolaus, the name Klaus has its origin in the Greek first name Nikolaos, which is composed of the ancient Greek elements níkē for 'victory' and laós for 'people, army, and warrior people'. Ancient Greek

How do you pronounce Klaus?

Sound & pronunciation of Klaus: The name Klaus is monosyllabic and phonetically distinct. In German pronunciation, it is usually spoken as 'Klaus' [klaʊ̯s], with the diphthong 'au' opening the name wide and open. The final 's' provides a clear, hissing accent. Klaus appears direct and characterful - compact, striking, and present.

When is the name day of Klaus?

Klaus celebrates his name day on September 10 (Saint Nicholas of Tolentino), September 25 (Brother Klaus), and December 6 in memory of Saint Nicholas of Myra (Saint Nicholas Day).

Popularity

In Germany, the first name Klaus predominantly ranked between the top 40 and top 60 in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was regularly represented but did not belong to the top group. Until the end of the 1920s, it remained consistently in the solid midfield. From 1930, an extraordinary surge in popularity began. By 1934, the name reached 2nd place, again 2nd place in 1937. In the 1940s and 1950s, it dominated the rankings: in 1944 and 1946, it even held 1st place.

Nicknames & pet names

Chlaus / Choleriker / Claas / Claws / Daus / Filzklaus / Hausi / Kalusius / Kinski / Klaas / Klaeuschen / Klause / Klausel / Klausewitz / Klausi / Klausilein / Klausimann / Klausimausi / Klausus / Klingeling / Kloes / Kloos / Kläuschen / Kläuschen-Däuschen / Kläusjen / Klösje / Klöys / Klöysius / Klößchen / Klü / Laus / Lausi / Maus / Mausi / Mausiklausi / Nickelklaus / Niklaus / Raus

Famous people

• Klaus Augenthaler (football coach)
• Klaus Barbie (German SS and Gestapo leader, Nazi war criminal known for his extreme cruelty, known as 'the butcher of Lyon')
• Klaus Baudelaire (film and book character)
• Klaus Beckfeld (football player from Germany)
• Klaus Bednarz (German television journalist and author)
• Klaus Behrendt (German actor)
• Klaus Berg (German lawyer; director of Hessischer Rundfunk)
• Klaus Böger (German politician)
• Klaus Böldl (German writer and professor)
• Klaus Bölling (German journalist and publicist; former head of the Federal Press Office)
• Klaus Braun (fictional character from Else Ury's 'Nesthäkchen')
• Klaus Bresser (German journalist and former ZDF editor-in-chief)
• Klaus Cornfield (musician from Peru)
• Klaus Dick (emeritus Catholic auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Cologne)
• Klaus the blue mouse (one of the 4 characters from 'Junior Don't Get Upset')
• Klaus Doldinger (German musician and composer)
• Klaus Eberhartinger (Austrian singer)
• Klaus Enders (German motorcycle racer)
• Klaus Fichtel (footballer)
• Klaus Fischer (German football player)