Holding steady.
Popularity of Richards since 1912
Babies named Richards per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Richards's real moment was 1912.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 22 |
| 1920s | 25 |
| 1930s | 26 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 23 |
| 1960s | 7 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Richards stands out as an uncommon given name, derived from the patronymic surname meaning 'son of Richard'. First recorded in the U.S. in 1912, its peak year, Richards never entered the top 1000 and remains a rare choice. The trajectory has been stable, with no significant revival. While it carries the weight of a classic surname, its use as a first name is minimal, appearing primarily in the 1910s. For families with the surname Richards or an appreciation for traditional English patronyms, it offers a distinctive option.
Richards is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Richard, itself from Old Germanic elements 'ric' meaning 'power' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong'. As a given name, Richards has seen sporadic use, primarily in the early 20th century, but it remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rich, Richie, Dick
Sibling names for Richards
Names that share Richards's style, for a brother or sister.
