Boy · 5th of 6,773
Richard
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
2,585,535
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1946
Peak Popularity Year
58,991
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Richard stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Richard has its roots in Old Germanic, meaning 'brave ruler.' It evolved through various forms, including Richart in Old High German and Richard in Old French. The name is associated with traits of strength and leadership, particularly due to historical figures like Richard the Lionheart. It does not have a biblical background and gained significant popularity in the medieval era. Today, Richard is viewed as a classic name with various common variants and derivatives.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈrɪtʃərd/
Origin
Old Germanic
Etymology
The name Richard is derived from the Old High German name 'Richart,' which combines the elements 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'power' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong.'
Meaning
brave ruler
Language Evolution
Old High German: Richart, Old French: Richard, Middle English: Richard
Historical Usage
Richard gained popularity in medieval Europe, particularly after the reign of Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century, which made the name synonymous with bravery and leadership.
Variants & Derivatives
Rick, Ricky, Rich, Richie, Ricardo
Modern Popularity & Image
Richard remains a classic name that is often associated with strength and leadership. It is well-regarded in many cultures but has seen fluctuations in popularity over the years.
Famous People
Richard the Lionheart, Richard Nixon, Richard Branson, Richard Gere, Richard Dawkins
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 58,991 peak births in 1946
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Maine
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 10th of 7545 | 248,371 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5th of 6773 | 647,019 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7th of 7552 | 959,734 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 12th of 10718 | 388,396 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 33rd of 16616 | 212,270 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 87th of 24088 | 78,710 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 179th of 23106 | 25,782 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 892nd of 9107 | 1,167 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 605th of 9204 | 2,358 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 904th of 12526 | 2,332 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 940th of 19264 | 2,179 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1703rd of 27321 | 1,265 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 10288th of 35406 | 151 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 28476th of 30306 | 6 |