Origin and Meaning of Rickey

Brave ruler

Origin: English - Rickey is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which is derived from the Old High German name 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'powerful', and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'hardy'.

• Rickey gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century, particularly from the 1940s to the 1980s.
• The name has variations and spelling alternatives such as Ricky and Rickie, which are also derived from Richard.
• Notable bearers of the name include Rickey Henderson, a renowned American baseball player, and Rickey Nelson, an influential rock and roll artist.
• In the 1980s, Rickey saw heightened popularity, frequently appearing in the top 100 names for boys in the U.S. However, its usage has declined since then.
• Rickey is primarily used as a masculine name but can occasionally be found in unisex contexts.