Ricardo
A Spanish and Portuguese form of Richard, ultimately meaning a powerful or hardy ruler.
The #9,433 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 89,543 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Ricardo is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Richard. The underlying Germanic name is usually explained from elements meaning “power, rule” and “hard, strong,” so the name carried the sense of a strong or capable ruler. In surname use, it is generally a hereditary form based on the personal name rather than a separate occupational or descriptive word.
History
The historical dictionaries treat Ricardo chiefly as the Spanish and Portuguese equivalent of Richard. It is especially familiar in the modern era through notable bearers such as the economist David Ricardo, whose family background was noted by 19th-century writers. As a surname, it remains relatively uncommon in the English-speaking world and is most likely to reflect Iberian or Latin-derived naming tradition.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
19th-century surname writers specifically noted that Ricardo is a form of Richard, not an independent word-name.
From the historical record
“Ricard, Richard, in Diet.] RICARDO (Span; and Portug.) form .of Ricard, Richard, q.v. in Diet. RICHTER (Ger.) Judge; Magistrate [f. richten, M.H.Ger. O.H.Ger. rihten, to adjust, settle] RITTER (Ger.) Knight; Cavalier [M.H.Ger. ritter; f. Flem. : cp. M.Dut. ridder\”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)