Ricky

Ricky is a masculine given name and common nickname. It is usually a diminutive form of Richard in English, and can also be a standalone given name or derived from Spanish or Portuguese Ricardo. The given name Richard itself originates from Germanic elements that are commonly interpreted as "brave ruler" or "powerful ruler."

As a given name, Ricky has been widely used in English-speaking countries since the 20th century and remains common as a casual form of more formal names. In Spanish-speaking contexts, Ricky may be used as a nickname or given name, though Ricardo is more common overall; in some cases, Ricky becomes a standalone name rather than a nickname.

Notable individuals named Ricky include Ricky Martin, the Puerto Rican singer and actor; Ricky Gervais, the English comedian, actor, and writer; Ricky Rubio, the Spanish professional basketball player; Ricky Ponting, the Australian cricketer and former captain; and Ricky Williams, the American football running back.

In fiction and popular culture, Ricky is the name of several characters, including Ricky Ricardo from I Love Lucy, the husband of Lucy; and Ricky Baker, the main character in the 2010 New Zealand film Boy.

Ricky remains a widely recognized given name and nickname across cultures, often conveying informality and approachability.