Why was Ni chosen as the chemical symbol for nickel?

Answer 1

From the direct English name 'Nitrogen'
It starts with an 'n'. N2

Answer 2

The symbol Ni for nickel was chosen based on its Latin name "nīculum". This Latin name was derived from a German word "Kupfernickel" which translates to "copper demon" and was originally mistaken for a copper ore by miners.

Answer 3

Because Nickel was the only element with the first two letters being "Ni", it was given "Ni" to be it's elemental symbol.

Answer 4

The symbol Ni comes from the first two letters of the name Nickel.