Find out how popular the first name Rico has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rico by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rico is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Rico being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 107 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rico.

The history of the first name Rico

The name Rico is a diminutive form of the Spanish name Enrique, which is derived from the Germanic name Heimrich. Heimrich is composed of the elements "heim," meaning "home," and "ric," meaning "power" or "ruler." The name Enrique was introduced to Spain by the Visigoths and eventually evolved into the modern form of Rico.

Rico has its origins in the medieval period, during the time of the Reconquista in Spain. The name was likely used as a nickname or shortened version of Enrique among the Spanish nobility and military leaders who fought against the Moors during this period. It may have been a way to distinguish between different individuals with the same name or to convey a sense of familiarity or affection.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rico can be found in the 13th-century Spanish epic poem "El Cantar de Mio Cid," which tells the story of the Castilian hero El Cid. In this work, Rico is mentioned as the name of one of El Cid's companions, suggesting that the name was in use during this time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rico. One example is Rico da Montechiaro (c. 1330-1390), an Italian lawyer and statesman who served as a diplomat and advisor to King Robert of Naples. Another is Rico Basso (1492-1579), an Italian painter and architect active during the Renaissance.

In the realm of exploration and discovery, Rico el Viejo (1460-1529) was a Spanish navigator and explorer who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his third voyage to the Americas in 1498. He later became the first European to set foot on the mainland of South America.

In more recent times, Rico Lebrun (1900-1964) was a American painter and sculptor known for his murals and sculptures depicting the human figure. Rico Constantino (1919-2005) was a Filipino businessman and politician who served as a senator and played a prominent role in the opposition against the Marcos regime.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Rico. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Spain, the name has since spread to various parts of the world and has been borne by people from diverse backgrounds and professions.

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 Rico was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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