Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ricky
BoyEnglish, Germanic· “brave ruler”
- Meaning
- brave ruler
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- RIK-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #949
- US babies 2025
- 248
- Best rank
- #34 (1958)
- Peak year
- 1958
Meaning and origin of Ricky
Ricky is an English and Germanic name that means “brave ruler”.
Ricky is a pet form of Richard, which comes from the Germanic elements ric, ruler or power, and hard, brave or hardy. Richard became common in England after the Norman Conquest and was borne by three English kings, including Richard the Lionheart. Ricky was used as an independent name in the United States during the twentieth century, associated with entertainers and athletes. It feels friendly and upbeat, with a retro charm. It can also be a nickname for Frederick, Enrique and Ricardo. Rick and Rich are related short forms.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rickey, Rickie, Rikki, Ricki.
Popularity over time
Ricky first appears in US Social Security records in 1925. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 86 different years, starting in 1940. Its best national rank was #34 in 1958, the same year it reached its highest count of 13,375 babies. In 2025, 248 babies were named Ricky, and it ranked #949 nationally. That is 48% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #128 in 1950, #122 in 1980, #294 in 2000, #450 in 2010, and #949 in 2025. Of the 223,145 US boys named Ricky since records began, 35% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 66,402 babies. Since 2010, 6,732 more have been named Ricky.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Keith, Peter, Terry, Steve, and Douglas.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ricky ranked highest in New Mexico, California, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #351 | 6 |
| California | #636 | 45 |
| Georgia | #701 | 14 |
| Ohio | #787 | 11 |
| Indiana | #827 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Ricky over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Ricky is usually pronounced RIK-ee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-ky”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rickey, Rickie, Rikki, and Ricki.
Middle names for Ricky
A few middle names that flow with Ricky: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ricky
Similar names
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Lists that include Ricky
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ricky mean?
Ricky is an English and Germanic name that means “brave ruler”.
What is the origin of the name Ricky?
Ricky has English and Germanic roots. Ricky is a pet form of Richard, which comes from the Germanic elements ric, ruler or power, and hard, brave or hardy.
Is Ricky a popular name?
Yes. Ricky ranked #949 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ricky a boy or girl name?
Ricky is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Ricky over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Ricky?
Ricky is usually pronounced RIK-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings