Ricardo
Ricardo is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave ruler, powerful ruler, or strong in rule.
Origin and history
Ricardo is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Richard, derived from Germanic elements meaning brave ruler or powerful leader. It has long been a staple masculine name in Spanish-speaking cultures and has enjoyed steady popularity in the United States since the mid-20th century. With tens of thousands of recorded births in the U.S., it remains a widely recognized classic.
Popularity in the United States
146,456 babies in the United States have been named Ricardo since 1880. It ranks #234 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #357.
States where it is most popular
- CA (30.4 %)
- TX (26.2 %)
- NY (6.2 %)
- IL (5.3 %)
- FL (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 6 |
| 1890-1900 | 7 |
| 1900-1910 | 61 |
| 1910-1920 | 330 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,168 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,789 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,044 |
| 1950-1960 | 10,318 |
| 1960-1970 | 13,149 |
| 1970-1980 | 17,657 |
| 1980-1990 | 23,089 |
| 1990-2000 | 29,311 |
| 2000-2010 | 27,190 |
| 2010-2019 | 13,928 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,409 |
Famous people named Ricardo
- Ricardo Kaka: footballer, athlete
- Ricardo Montalban: actor
Nicknames
Ricky, Rick
Fun facts
- The name is the Iberian equivalent of Richard, famously borne by medieval English monarchs such as Richard the Lionheart.
- Ricardo has consistently maintained a place in the top 500 male names in the U.S. for many decades.