Nicholas

 
Pronunciation: /ˈnɪkələs/
  • the name of two tsars of Russia:
  • Nicholas I (1796–1855), brother of Alexander I, reigned 1825–55. At home he pursued rigidly conservative policies, while his expansionism in the Near East led to the Crimean War.
  • Nicholas II (1868–1918), son of Alexander III, reigned 1894–1917. Forced to abdicate after the Russian Revolution in 1917, he was shot along with his family a year later.