Nicanor
victorious man (Greek)
Nicanor is a spanish / biblical boy name in the Philippines. In the civil registry as of May 2021 it is number 396, with 17,867 records. It has 3 syllables.
Origin and meaning
victorious man (Greek)
Nicanor is of Greek origin meaning 'victor' or 'conqueror of men'. Introduced to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era via the Catholic calendar of saints, it became a standard classic male name across Luzon and the Visayas.
Nicanor derives from the ancient Greek name Nikanor (composed of 'nike' meaning victory and 'aner/andros' meaning man). It entered the Philippine naming tradition through Spanish Catholic influence, associated with Saint Nicanor, one of the Seven Deacons.
Name character
In the Philippines
Commonly shortened to traditional Filipino nicknames like Canor, Kano, Nick, or Nonoy. Today it is largely viewed as a vintage, grandfatherly name.
Related forms
- Nicanor Spanish
- Nikanor Greek
- Nicanor Portuguese
Would your family give Nicanor?
Mark it if your family would give this first name. The count is for 2026 on this site. It is not the civil registry, and it is not babies registered in 2024. One browser can choose a name once in the year.
No family on this site has marked Nicanor for 2026 yet.
Nicanor with common surname pairs
Each pair is a mother's maiden surname plus a father's surname. The number is the sound-fit score for this first name.
Related boy names
About the name Nicanor
How do I use Nicanor with two Filipino surnames?
Nicanor is the given name. The full name is Nicanor + mother's maiden surname + father's surname. Score a pair from a combination page or the homepage search.
Is Nicanor a common boy name in the Philippines?
In the civil registry as of May 2021, Nicanor is number 396, with 17,867 records. That is not the 2024 birth list, and it does not say the name is a better choice. How it sounds with both family surnames is a separate score.