Find out how popular the first name Richter has been for the last 17 years (from 2007 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Richter by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Richter is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Richter.

The history of the first name Richter

The name Richter is of German origin, derived from the word "rihter," which means "judge" or "one who rules." This name has its roots in the early medieval period, around the 5th to 10th centuries AD, when it was used to refer to local magistrates or officials who presided over legal matters in Germanic communities.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Richter can be traced back to the 9th century, where it appears in various legal documents and chronicles from the Frankish and Holy Roman Empire regions. One of the notable historical figures bearing this name was Richter of Verdun, a 10th-century bishop and intellectual who played a significant role in the revival of classical learning during the Carolingian Renaissance.

In the later medieval period, the name Richter continued to be associated with individuals involved in the legal profession or holding positions of authority. For example, Konrad Richter, a 14th-century German jurist and scholar, was renowned for his contributions to the development of Roman law and its application in the Holy Roman Empire.

During the Renaissance and Reformation eras, the name Richter gained further prominence. One of the most famous individuals bearing this name was Martin Richter, a 16th-century German theologian and Lutheran reformer who collaborated closely with Martin Luther and played a crucial role in the spread of Protestantism in Germany.

In the realm of arts and literature, the name Richter is associated with notable figures such as Johann Paul Friedrich Richter, better known by his pen name Jean Paul, an 18th-century German novelist and humorist celebrated for his philosophical and satirical works. Another notable bearer of this name was Hans Richter, a 20th-century German-born American painter and filmmaker, who was a pioneer of abstract art and experimental cinema.

Other notable individuals with the name Richter include Svante Richter, a 17th-century Swedish mathematician and astronomer; Karl Richter, a 20th-century German conductor and organist renowned for his interpretations of Baroque music; and Hans Richter, a 20th-century German-American psychologist and philosopher who contributed significantly to the development of Gestalt psychology.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Richter was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Richter, please contact us.

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