Richard
Richard first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1946, when 58,870 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 1,505.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Richard popular?
Declining Richard is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1946 peak.
| 2020s | 9,993 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 26,747 | |
| 2000s | 48,582 | |
| 1990s | 94,876 | |
| 1980s | 154,745 | |
| 1970s | 202,804 | |
| 1960s | 373,907 | |
| 1950s | 535,461 | |
| 1940s | 477,476 | |
| 1930s | 330,502 | |
| 1920s | 222,599 | |
| 1910s | 74,603 | |
| 1900s | 10,675 | |
| 1890s | 7,572 | |
| 1880s | 7,010 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Richard mean?
Richard is a Germanic name from ric (“ruler, power”) and hard (“brave, strong”), so roughly “brave ruler.” The Normans carried it to England, where it was borne by three kings — including Richard I, “the Lionheart.”
Nicknames for Richard
- Rich
- Rick
- Ricky
- Dick
- Richie
Variants & spellings
- Ricardo
- Riccardo
- Rickard
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Richard a boy or a girl name?
Richard is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Richard a popular name right now?
Richard is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1946 peak.
How popular is the name Richard?
In 2025, Richard ranked #234 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Richard most popular?
Richard was most popular in 1946, when about 58,870 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Richard?
Common nicknames for Richard include Rich, Rick, Ricky, Dick, Richie.