Is Rick a boy's or girl's name?

Rick is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 135 recorded births.

When was Rick most popular?

Rick reached its peak popularity in 1958 with 5,462 births that year. It is currently ranked #2981 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Rick?

Rick is currently ranked #2981 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 81,792 babies since 1919.

Rick

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsDeclining Also a pet name

#2981▼ 51in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the male given name Richard, or sometimes of related names, such as Ricardo.

Rick is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a short form of Richard, from the Old High German Ricohard, meaning 'powerful ruler.' Rick gained widespread standalone use in the mid-20th century United States.

Rick dominated American culture from the 1950s through the 1980s — from Ricky Nelson to Rick Springfield. It projects a confident, straight-talking masculinity that feels genuinely retro today, in the best possible way.

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Popularity Over Time

Rick was #1265 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2981, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Rick
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	228	#2808	▼
2010s	789	#1920	▼
2000s	1,336	#1214	▼
1990s	2,566	#689	▼
1980s	4,256	#415	▼
1970s	6,158	#320	▼
1960s	25,719	#140	▼
1950s	34,371	#110	▲
1940s	5,973	#402	▲
1930s	269	#1386	▲
1920s	121	#2683	▲
1910s	6	#4077	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(105 years, 1919–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Rick
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	42	#2981	-1 (-2.3%)
2023	43	#2930	-3 (-6.5%)
2022	46	#2820	+2 (4.5%)
2021	44	#2851	-9 (-17.0%)
2020	53	#2457	+3 (6.0%)
2019	50	#2615	-30 (-37.5%)
2018	80	#1885	+17 (27.0%)
2017	63	#2167	-3 (-4.5%)
2016	66	#2130	-15 (-18.5%)
2015	81	#1841	-7 (-8.0%)
2014	88	#1723	+15 (20.5%)
2013	73	#1929	-9 (-11.0%)
2012	82	#1809	-16 (-16.3%)
2011	98	#1586	-10 (-9.3%)
2010	108	#1513	0
2009	108	#1537	-3 (-2.7%)
2008	111	#1481	-14 (-11.2%)
2007	125	#1349	-8 (-6.0%)
2006	133	#1264	-19 (-12.5%)
2005	152	#1091	+32 (26.7%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Rick as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Rick has also been given to 135 girls in the U.S. since 1947.

Unranked

Current rank

135

Total births

1961

Peak year

Compare Rick as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Rick be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Rick is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #2981. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Rick has two lives

Rick, the baby name

#2981boys

81,792 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1919–2024) · Methodology