Nickel is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Arno Nickel (born 1952), German correspondence chess GrandmasterBernd Nickel (born 1949), German former footballerEckhart Nickel (born 1966), German author and journalistElbie Nickel (1922–2007), American National Football League tight endGoschwin Nickel (1582–1644), Jesuit priest and the 10th Superior-General of the Society of JesusGreg Nickels (born 1955), two-time mayor of SeattleHarald Nickel (born 1953), German former footballerHerman W. Nickel (born 1928), United States Ambassador to South Africa during the Reagan administrationJens Nickel, German ten-pin bowlerMike Nickel (born 1965), Canadian politicianGil Nickel (1939–2003), American vintnerRichard Nickel (1928–1972), American photographer and historianUta Nickel (born 1941), German politicianWalter R. Nickel (1907–1989), American dermatologist