Niilo is a Finnish masculine given name, derived from the Nicholas via Swedish and other Scandinavian languages. It is the Finnish form of Nicholas, which ultimately comes from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), meaning "victory of the people" — from νίκη (nike) "victory" and λαός (laos) "people". The name has strong Christian associations due to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra (in modern-day Turkey) known for his generosity and miracles. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants, and is the historical basis for Santa Claus.The name Niilo has been in use in Finland since the Middle Ages, brought to the region through Swedish influence. It remains a common given name in Finland, ranking among the top names for boys in the early 20th century and still used today. Variants include Nikolai, Niko, and Niklas in Swedish, and Nick in English.Notable bearers of the name Niilo include Niilo Halonen (1940–2025), a Finnish ski jumper; Niilo Jääskinen (born 1958), a Finnish lawyer and politician; Niilo Mäenpää (born 1998) and Niilo Saarikivi (born 2003), footballers; Niilo Sevänen (born 1979), a death metal musician and member of the band Insomnium; Niilo Yli-Vainio (1920–1981), a Pentecostal leader; and Niilo Wälläri (1897–1967), a socialist and syndicalist leader. The asteroid 2972 Niilo, discovered in 1939, is named after this name.While not as widely used outside Finland, Niilo is also an Estonian surname, as exemplified by politician Tiit Niilo (born 1962). The name's strong connection to Saint Nicholas gives it a cross-cultural resonance.Meaning: Victory of the people (from Greek Nikolaos)Origin: Greek, via SwedishUsage: Finnish, Estonian (as a surname)Patron Saint: Saint Nicholas (basis for Santa Claus)