Richard - name meaning, origin

The boy's name Richard \r(i)-cha-

is pronounced RICH-erd. It is of Old German origin, and its meaning is "powerful leader". Norman name commonly used for the last 900 years except in the 19th century. England's King Richard Coeur de Lion gave the name lasting impressions of kingliness and the exploits of a crusading knight. Ricardo is a popular Spanish and Portuguese form; Riccardo is Italian; Rikard is Scandinavian. See also Ryker. English kings Richard I-III; rock celebrity Little Richard; composer Richard Rodgers; actors Richard Burton, Richard Kiley, Richard Gere, Richard Chamberlain; photographer Richard Avedon; American President Richard Nixon; football player Rich Gannon.

Richard has 33 variant forms: Dick, Dickie, Dicky, Raechard, Ric, Ricard, Ricardo, Riccardo, Rich, Richardo, Richart, Richerd, Richie, Rick, Rickard, Rickert, Rickey, Ricki, Rickie, Ricky, Rico, Rikard, Riki, Rikki, Riocard, Ritchard, Ritcherd, Ritchie, Ritchy, Ritchyrd, Ritshard, Ritsherd and Ryszard.

For more information, see also related names Aric and Baldric.

Baby names that sound like Richard are Rickward and Rickwerd.

Richard is a very common first name for men (#7 out of 1220) and also a very common last name for both men and women (#506 out of 88799). (1990 U.S. Census)

Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy name Richard. Compare Richard with its variant forms and related boy names.

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