Skip to content
BoyProto-Germanic origin2 syllables

Ricky

Literal root meaning: “king, ruler + hard, brave”

About the name Ricky

Ricky is a boy name with Proto-Germanic roots, literally “king, ruler + hard, brave”. It is related to Richard, which is where the meaning comes from.

It has a classic feel. In 2025, Ricky ranked #949 for boys in the US, with 248 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1958. Since 2000, 99% of US babies named Ricky were boys.

Etymology

A diminutive of Richard, which comes from Proto-Germanic, meaning “king, ruler” + “hard, brave”.

Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Ricky”, “Richard”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.

US rank 2025
#949
In 2015
#582
Babies in 2025
248

Popularity of Ricky, 1940–2025

03.3k6.7k10k13k19401960198020002020
Boys GirlsBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Names similar to Ricky

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.