Dick is a male given name of English origin. It is a diminutive form of Richard, which means "strong" or "powerful." The name Richard has been popular for centuries, and it is believed to have originated from the Germanic elements ric, meaning "power," and hard, meaning "strong."
The name Dick was first used as a nickname for Richard in the Middle Ages. It became more common during the Victorian era, particularly in Britain and the United States. However, its usage has declined significantly in recent decades.
Some notable people with the name Dick include American baseball player Richard "Dick" Williams, British actor Richard "Dick" Van Dyke, and former US President Richard "Dick" Nixon. Despite its decline in popularity, the name Dick remains a part of popular culture and continues to be used occasionally today.
The name Dick has been given to a total of 29,273 babies born in the United States over the past century and a half, with its popularity fluctuating significantly over time.
In the late 19th century, there was an average of around 25 births per year for the name Dick. However, this number began to increase dramatically at the turn of the century, reaching a peak in 1934 with 1,131 births. This trend continued throughout the 1930s and 1940s, with over 800 births per year.
After World War II, the popularity of the name Dick began to decline steadily. By the late 1960s, fewer than 100 babies were being named Dick each year. This downward trend continued into the 21st century, with only five or six babies named Dick each year since 2000.
Despite its decline in popularity in recent decades, the name Dick remains a part of American history and continues to be given to a small number of newborns each year.