MallowbyNames

Richey

RICH-ee · of uncertain origin; likely a variant of Richie, a diminutive of Richard, meaning 'brave power'.

Peak popularity
1963
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Richey since 1923

Babies named Richey per year in U.S. Social Security records.

9182719602000Most births 1963Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1920s5
1930s5
1940s25
1950s89
1960s181
1970s96
1980s27
1990s23
2000s17
2010s6
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Richey is a diminutive of Richard that carved out its own modest niche in mid-20th-century America. First recorded in 1923, it reached its peak popularity in 1963, during the height of similar nicknames-turned-first-names like Ricky and Richie. Since then, usage has dropped sharply, and the name now appears only sporadically, maintaining a stable trajectory with a 1960s vintage feel. Despite never having ranked in national top 1000 lists, Richey remains a recognizable, friendly-sounding choice for families seeking a retro, informal name.

Richey is a spelling variant of Richie, a common diminutive of the Old German name Richard, composed of the elements 'ric' (power) and 'hard' (brave, strong). As a given name, it emerged in the English-speaking world as a familiar form of Richard, often used informally. Its independence as a first name grew in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Rich, Ritch

Variants: Richie, Ritchie

Sibling names for Richey

Names that share Richey's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

R is for Richey, our favorite little boy.

R is for Richey…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Richey's letter becomes Richey's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Richey's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Richey mean?
Richey is believed to be a variant of Richie, a diminutive of Richard, which means 'brave power' in Old German.
How popular is the name Richey currently?
Richey has been rarely used in recent years. According to U.S. data, it peaked in 1963 and has not ranked in the top 1000 since the 1970s.
Is Richey a boy's name or a girl's name?
Richey is almost exclusively given to boys.