Ric, derived from the Germanic given name Richar, is of Old High German origin and translates to "powerful leader" or "strong". It was popularized through medieval Europe via Charlemagne's empire. The name Ric is often associated with historical figures like Ricimer, a 5th-century Roman general, and Ricardus (Richard) II of Normandy, who ruled in the late 10th century. In literature, it appears in works such as Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe," where Ric is the nickname for Richard of the Forest.
The name Ric experienced a peak in popularity during the late 50s and early 60s with over 40 births per year between 1958 and 1965. However, it gradually declined from there, with fewer than 30 births per year after 1972. Since the late 90s, Ric has been a rare name, with fewer than 10 births reported per year. Overall, there were 1270 births recorded for the name Ric between 1942 and 2012.