I think it kind of depends. Different countries will think its spelled different ways. If you are in
America, you will be correcting them no matter what though since most people seem to sp it
Nicholas (even with a common alternative spelling, I have been correcting people all my life)
But I prefer
Nickolas because to me, the u makes it look stupid. I really dont like the look of
Nickolas, but its tolerable. -laus makes it seem like you are trying to honor
Santa Claus by
NICKoLAUS. I know poeple who have used
Nicholas because their son was born so close to
Christmas and was honoring the holiday cheer by that, but at least the spelling was "correct" (nothing but my own opinion)