Ricardo is a name of Spanish and Italian origin, derived from the Germanic name Ricchino, which was derived from the German word 'ric' meaning powerful or rich. The name Ricardo has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages when it was introduced into Spain through the Moors who invaded the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century.
The name Ricardo became popular in Spain and Italy during the medieval period, with many notable figures bearing this name throughout history. One of the most famous Ricardo was Ricardo III, also known as Richard III, who was a king of England from 1483 until his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
In English-speaking countries, Ricardo is sometimes spelled without the 'o' at the end, becoming Richard. This variant of the name has also been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Richard I (also known as Richard the Lionheart), who was king of England from 1189 to 1199.
Today, Ricardo remains a popular name in Spanish and Italian-speaking countries, while its English variant, Richard, is still widely used in English-speaking countries around the world. Despite its origin dating back centuries ago, Ricardo continues to be chosen by parents as a strong and powerful name for their newborn sons.
The name Ricardo experienced a significant surge in popularity starting around the 1950s, with over 1000 births per year consistently from 1952 onwards. The peak was reached in 1980 with 2324 births, after which there was a gradual decline. From the 1990s to the early 2000s, the number of annual births named Ricardo fluctuated between around 2600 and 3000. However, since 2010, there has been a notable decrease in popularity, with fewer than 1500 births per year since then, reaching an all-time low of 873 births in 2023.