Dick

Dick is a medieval English and Dutch short form of Richard, which derives from the Old High German elements ric, meaning power or ruler, and hard, meaning brave or strong. The rhyming substitution of D for R, a common pattern in medieval English nicknaming, produced Dick from Rick, just as Bill arose from Will and Bob from Rob. The name was so widespread in medieval England that it became a generic term for an ordinary man, reflecting the enormous popularity of Richard among the Norman and Plantagenet aristocracy. Related forms include Rich, Rick, Richie, and the Dutch Dirk, which followed a separate phonetic development from the same source.