Richard

Richard is a Germanic given name composed of the elements ric, meaning power or ruler, and hard, meaning brave, strong, or hardy, giving the name an overall sense of strong ruler or powerful leader. It was introduced to England by the Normans and gained wide popularity throughout medieval Europe, borne by three kings of England, most famously Richard I, known as Richard the Lionheart, the twelfth-century crusader king. The name spread across Europe in numerous forms, including Ricardo in Spanish and Portuguese, Riccardo in Italian, and Rickard in Scandinavian languages. Common diminutives and short forms include Rich, Rick, and Dick.