RICHARD  

Gender: M
Origin: German
Meaning: "dominant ruler"

Popularity in 2008: #107

Far from stylish old Norman name, with a rich royal history, but now not even in the Top 100. All the possible nicknames -- Richie, Ricky, and especially Dick -- are so over.

Variations:
Rick, Ritcherd, Rich, Dick, Rashard, Ric, Ricard, Dicky, Richey, Ritch, Richardson, Ricky, Richerd, Ritchy, Rickey, Raechard, Richaud, Richer, Rishi, Ricke, Richird, Ritchard, Richie, Richshard, Ritchie, Ritshard, Rishard, Richardsen, Ritsherd, Dickie, Richar, Ryk, Rickie, Richy

International Variations:
Risa (Czech) Arri, Rollo, Riks, Riki, Juki (Estonian) Reku (Finnish) Richart (German) Rihardos (Greek) Riczi, Rikard (Hungarian) Riocard (Irish) Ristéard (Irish Gaelic) Ricciardo, Ricco, Riccardo, Ricardo (Italian) Richards, Rihards (Latvian) Ryszard, Rysio, Rye (Polish) Ricardo (Portuguese) Dic (Romanian) Rostya, Slavik, Slava, Slavka (Russian) Ruiseart (Scottish Gaelic) Richi, Riqui, Rico, Ricardo (Spanish) Rickert, Rickard (Swedish) Rhisiart (Welsh)

Richard is being discussed in our message boards:

• Best of British - some Telegraph birth announcements
• Poll: Once a Nickname... Always a Nickname???
• Mayflower Names!
• narrowing my list...need help
• Wisconsin Birth Announcements

Read Nameberry blog posts about Richard:

• SCOTTISH BABY NAMES: What's 'in' in Inverness?
• HEY, JUDE: Names from the Beatles and beyond
• HOORAY FOR HENRY: The quirky classic that manages to stay cool
• CONFESSIONS OF A SECRET NAME NERD
• PRINCE NAMES