Ricky

Ricky is an English diminutive of Richard, which derives from the Old High German name Ricohard, composed of the elements ric, meaning power or ruler, and hard, meaning brave or strong. The name Richard was brought to England by the Normans and became widely used throughout the medieval period, carried by three English kings. Ricky emerged as an informal pet form in the 20th century and gained broad popularity through cultural figures such as American entertainer Ricky Nelson and Cuban-American musician Ricky Ricardo, the fictional character from the television series I Love Lucy. Related forms include Rick, Rickie, and Richie, as well as the full form Richard and its Spanish equivalent Ricardo.