Nīkē
/ˈniː.kɛː/noun
A transliteration of Ancient Greek Νίκη, the goddess and personification of victory.
Did you know?In Greek art, Nīkē often appears winged and descending to crown victorious athletes, generals, or gods with a wreath of triumph.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European, proposed
PIE
*néykeh₂
“A reconstructed root associated with winning or conquering; its connection to Greek Νίκη is probable but not completely certain.”
Proto-Greek
Proto-Greek
*níkā
“A reconstructed form meaning victory or success.”
5th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
νίκη (níkē)
“Victory; triumph in conflict, competition, or contest.”
Classical Greece
Ancient Greek
Νίκη (Níkē)
“The divine personification of victory, commonly represented as a winged female figure.”
16th Century
English
Nike
“An English use of the Greek goddess’s name, chiefly in classical and mythological writing.”
Modern English
English
Nike
“A proper name associated both with the Greek goddess and, later, the athletic brand named after her.”