Ricky

Ricky is an English diminutive of Richard, which derives from the Old High German 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 popular throughout the medieval period, borne by three kings of England, most famously Richard I, known as the Lionheart. Ricky emerged as an informal pet form and has been used as an independent given name since the twentieth century, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom. Related forms include Rickie, Ricki, and the full name Richard, along with cognates such as Ricardo and Rico.