Richie

Richie is an English diminutive of Richard, a name of Old High German origin composed of the elements ric, meaning power or ruler, and hard, meaning brave or strong. The name Richard was introduced to England by the Normans and became enormously popular throughout medieval Europe, borne by three kings of England, most famously Richard I, the twelfth-century crusader king known as the Lionheart. Richie developed as an affectionate short form and is also used as an independent given name. Related forms include Rich, Rick, Ricky, and the feminine Ricarda.