Richard is an English name of Germanic origin, derived from the elements 'ric' meaning 'power' and 'hard' meaning 'strong'. It was introduced to England by the Normans during their invasion in 1066, becoming a popular choice among the nobility. Richard is often associated with strength and leadership, reflecting its meaning. Over time, variations of the name have emerged, including Rick, Dick, and Richie.
The name Richard experienced fluctuations in popularity throughout the 20th century and into the early 21st century, with peaks in the late 60s to mid-80s and a gradual decline since then. The highest number of babies named Richard was recorded in 1968, with 16 births, while there were periods of relatively low popularity, such as between 1997 and 2011 where the number of births hovered around five each year. Overall, from 1932 to 2011, there were a total of 310 babies named Richard.