The story behind Richard
From Middle English Rycharde, from Old French Richard, from Medieval Latin Richardus, Ricohardus, from Frankish *Rīkahard, from Proto-Germanic *Rīkaharduz, a construction of *rīks (“king, ruler”) + *harduz (“hard, brave”). Cognate with Old High German Rīcohard (“Richard”). Partially related to rich. A hypothetical Old English equivalent *Rīċheard would also yield an identical "Richard" in Modern English, though it is unknown if the Old English equivalent existed.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Spanish entry
Unadapted borrowing from English Richard. Doublet of Ricardo.
Pronunciation
Canada, General-American: /ˈɹɪt͡ʃ.ɚd/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Australia, Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɹɪt͡ʃ.əd/
- Spanish: /ˈrit͡ʃaɾd/
- Spanish: [ˈri.t͡ʃaɾð̞]
- Spanish: /ɹɪt͡ʃɚd/
- Spanish: [ɹɪt͡ʃɚð̞]
Popularity
Richard ranked #234 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Richard
Raymond
From Old French Raimund, from Frankish *Raginmund, from Proto-Germanic *Raginamunduz, composed of *raginą (“advice”) + *mundō (“protection”). Compare the first element in…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Reynold
From Anglo-Norman Reinald, from Proto-Germanic *Raginawaldaz brought to England by Normans and partly merged with the earlier equivalent Ronald, from Old Norse Rǫgnvaldr.…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Risteard
Borrowed from Middle English Rycharde, from Old French Richard, from Frankish *Rīcohard (literally “powerful leader”), from Proto-Germanic *rīkô (“ruler, chief, leader”) +…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Roland
From Old French, from Frankish *Hrōþiland (literally “fame-land”). Name of a paladin of Charlemagne in medieval French romance. Doublet of Orlando. Borrowed from French…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ronald
Anglicized from Scottish Gaelic Raghnall, itself derived from Old Norse Rǫgnvaldr, from rǫgn (“advice”) + valdr (“power”), later partly merged with the Continental Germanic…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Rowland
A male given name from the Germanic languages, variant of Roland.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Richard
Adalbertas
Learned borrowing from Latin Adalbertus, from Proto-West Germanic *Aþalaberht, from Proto-Germanic *Aþalaberhtaz. Compare German Adalbert and Latvian Adalberts.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adamu
Borrowed from English Adam.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends U
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adela
Latinate form of French Adèle, short form of Germanic compound names beginning with Proto-Germanic *aþalaz (“noble”). Compare Old English æþele, English athel. Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Richard
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adamu
Borrowed from English Adam.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends U
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length