Richard

“Brave ruler” or “strong ruler”.

Richard is a masculine name built from Germanic words for rulership and strength or bravery. Its English history passes through French: the Normans brought the name to England in the eleventh century. That route helps explain why it belongs comfortably to several European naming traditions. The same spelling takes on different textures aloud. English Richard has a crisp ch sound, German Richard uses the sound heard in ich, and French Richard has a softer sh sound with a silent final d. The French form feels smoother to my ear, while the English and German versions have a more sharply defined finish. As a full name, Richard can feel composed and quietly formal rather than ornate. The English short forms Rich and Rick offer a more casual register, with Rick especially clipped and direct. This range may appeal if you like a traditional name that has room for everyday informality. Ricardo is its Spanish and Portuguese counterpart.

Etymology: Richard combines Germanic elements meaning ruler or power and hard, firm or brave. The English form came through Old French, carried into England by the Normans.