Nikita (given name)

Nikita (Никита, Russian pronunciation: [nʲɪˈkʲitə]) originated as a masculine Greek name, and subsequently Russian name. The Ukrainian and Belarusian variant are Mykyta (Микита, [mɪkɪtɑ]), and Mikita (Мікіта, [mʲikʲita]), respectively (but Nikita (Нiкiта) is also in use in both countries). The Romanian variant is Nichita. The name is derived from the Greek Nicetas (Νικήτας, meaning "victor"). The Greek name entered Slavic onomastics due to the veneration of Saint Nicetas the Goth (died 372) in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Since the later 20th century, the name Nikita was adopted as a feminine name in some countries such as France. This development was presumably inspired by Elton John's song Nikita (its music video portrayed a female Russian border guard, presumably the Nikita of the song) and the French film Nikita.

There is also an unrelated Indian feminine name Niketā निकेता, Nikitā निकिता, from a Sanskrit word nikita निकेत, niketana निकेतन meaning "house, habitation; temple".

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