Richard

Richard comes from the Old Germanic ric (power, ruler) and hard (brave, strong) — a hardy ruler, no apologies. The Normans brought it to England, where three kings wore the crown, including Richard the Lionheart, whose legend still does half the work. Shakespeare wrote it into Richard II and Richard III; Nixon made it presidential; Pryor and Gere made it charming. It held a spot in the American top ten from 1920 through 1968, an extraordinary run. Today it rests comfortably in the mid-200s, less fashionable but no less solid. Dick, Rick, Rich, Richie — a name with four front doors.