Rikki

Rikki is a variant spelling of Ricky, itself a diminutive of Richard, an Old High German name composed of the elements ric, meaning power or ruler, and hard, meaning brave or strong. The name has been used for both males and females in English-speaking countries, gaining particular popularity as a feminine form during the twentieth century. It is associated with Rudyard Kipling's mongoose character Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, which helped bring the spelling into wider recognition. Related forms include Ricki, Ricky, and the full name Richard.