Richard
Peaked at #5 nationally in 1930, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Richard has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Richard is built from the Germanic elements "ric" (ruler, power) and "hard" (brave, hardy), yielding a meaning close to "brave ruler." Like many Germanic names, it was carried to England by the Normans and became firmly embedded in English royal and aristocratic naming by the 12th century.
Notable people & culture
Three English kings bore the name, most famously Richard the Lionheart and Richard III, and it later belonged to U.S. president Richard Nixon. Entertainment figures include actor Richard Gere and rock-and-roll pioneer Little Richard. Common nicknames are Rick, Rich, Dick, and Ricky.
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Richard — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#477
in 1929
Last ranked
#14927
in 2022
Years tracked
121
1886–2022
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1886, Richard reached its peak popularity for girls in 1929, ranking #477 nationally with 200 babies given the name that year.
Richard hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2022, when it stood at #14927.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | #14,927 | 6 |
| 2012 | #18,970 | 5 |
| 2010 | #19,238 | 5 |
| 2009 | #14,897 | 7 |
| 2008 | #19,836 | 5 |
| 2007 | #13,657 | 8 |
| 2006 | #13,348 | 8 |
| 2005 | #18,570 | 5 |
Richard — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#5
in 1930
Current rank
#232
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Richard reached its peak popularity for boys in 1930, ranking #5 nationally with 32,186 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #141 (2014) to #232 (2024) — a 39% drop.
As of 2024, Richard ranks #232 nationally for boys, with 1,539 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #232 | 1,539 |
| 2023 | #221 | 1,645 |
| 2022 | #219 | 1,684 |
| 2021 | #216 | 1,782 |
| 2020 | #208 | 1,826 |
| 2019 | #197 | 1,989 |
| 2018 | #187 | 2,137 |
| 2017 | #175 | 2,284 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Richard most popular?
Richard was most popular in 1930, when it ranked #5 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Richard becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Richard?
At least 2,585,535 babies have been recorded with the name Richard in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Richard? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.