Riker

Riker is a surname and, less commonly, a given name. It appears in English-speaking regions and has been borne by various real and fictional individuals.

The most prominent fictional use is William T. Riker, a central character in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Often called simply "Riker," he is a Starfleet officer who serves as first officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D under Captain Jean-Luc Picard, later taking on senior command in some storylines. The character is portrayed by actor Jonathan Frakes and first appears in the 1987 pilot episode Encounter at Farpoint. Riker is depicted as capable, confident, and loyal to Starfleet, and he remains a recurring figure throughout the series and related media.

In real life, people may bear the surname Riker, and the name can also appear as a given name in some instances. Beyond Star Trek, the usage of Riker is limited and varies by context, including historical records and contemporary naming.

Note: Riker is distinct from, though sometimes confused with, Rikers Island, the New York City jail complex named after a different origin.