Rico
First Name Meaning, Usage, Popularity & Related Names
Rico is a Germanic name meaning “brave ruler”. It is a common name, overwhelmingly used for boys, with 99.98% male usage.
Meaning & Origin of the name Rico
Rico is a name of Germanic origin, serving as a shortened form of various names ending in '-rico', such as Ricardo or Federico. The element '-ric' originates from the Proto-Germanic 'rīkijaz', which signifies power, rule, or a mighty leader. This root has been integral to naming conventions across Germanic and Romance (Latin) languages, denoting status and sovereignty. Its development as a distinct given name reflects the common practice of abbreviating compound names to their most prominent syllable.
Meaning Comments
- Runeyjuicey2: Rico is also the Spanish word for 'rich.' This is where Puerto Rico got its name: 'rich port.'
- Shepardlad10: I don't like it. It's missing something. Reminds me of Puerto Rico.
- Shaddowgirla: I guess it's a cool name, but I will never be able to get past the fact that it's the name of a company that makes reeds for woodwinds. That would be like naming your kid Vandoren.
Gender Usage of the Name Rico
Overall Gender Classification Methodology
Rico is overwhelmingly used as a name for boys. Approximately 99.98% of recorded bearers are male. This classification is supported by extensive records and is considered highly reliable.
Popularity of the Name Rico
Note: Green bars show popularity (% of births); the violet line shows historical ranking. Data is based on official government birth records. Click any chart to view details by year and region.
Overall PopularityMethodology
Rico is listed under Common Boy Names worldwide. Its popularity is relatively consistent across the available regional markets.
| Region | Popularity | Birth Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Common | 1 in every 39K births |
| United Kingdom | Common | 1 in every 5.3K births |
| Canada | Common | 1 in every 166K births |
| Australia | Common | 1 in every 502K births |
Ranking OverviewMethodology
Rico ranked #972 on the Popular Boys’ Names Worldwide List (2025). It fell from #817 in 2024 — a drop of 155 places. Rico is showing upward momentum and gaining recognition.
Historically, its best recorded position was #525 in 2014. Its lowest recorded position was #2,705 in 2023. Over the last 5 years (2020–2025) the name fell -258 places (from #714 to #972).
Name StyleMethodology
Rico is classified as Classic Boy Names because it appears in 61% of available years and remains active today, averaging 198 births per year after a historical peak in 2014.Characteristics of the Name Rico
Pronunciation & StructureMethodology
- Phonetic Source
- CMU
- Syllables
- 2 syllables — Two-Syllable Boy Names
- Length
- 4 letters — Short Boy Names
- Starts with
- R — Boy Names Starting with R
- Ends with
- o — Boy Names Ending in “o”
Name AestheticMethodology
Rico features a two-syllable count with a forceful opening, maintaining a Strong & Powerful aesthetic. The name is famously associated with the character Rico Rodriguez from the Just Cause video game series, known for high-stakes action. Its brevity and percussive onset give it an assertive and confident quality.
Middle Names For Rico
Middle names used with RicoMethodology
Rico is most frequently used with these boy middle names: Rico Lamont · Rico Antonio · Rico Jermaine · Rico Allen · Rico RayView all 119 boy middle names.
Middle name suggestions for RicoMethodology
Based on observed first-middle-name pattern combinations, Rico is most frequently associated with boy middle names that have 2 syllables, Strong–Weak stress pattern, 6 letters, and a starting sound of “a”.
Examples: Rico Andrew · Rico Albert · Rico Alfred · Rico Antwan · Rico Antwon. View all 40 suggested middle names.
Associations of the Name Rico
Flower AssociationsMethodology
As one of the Flower-Inspired Boy Names, Rico also appears as the common name of Puerto Rico Devilbrush (Scolosanthus versicolor Vahl) in the Rubiaceae family.
Tree AssociationsMethodology
The name Rico, one of the Tree-Inspired Boy Names, appears as part of the common names of 2 plant species, including:
- Puerto Rico Silver Palm (Coccothrinax barbadensis (Lodd. ex Mart.) Becc.) — Arecaceae
- Puerto Rico Jointvetch (Ctenodon gracilis (Vogel) D.B.O.S.Cardoso, P.L.R.Moraes & H.C.Lima) — Fabaceae
Additional Natural MatchesMethodology
The complete dataset includes 13 biological records matching the name Rico. Browse all matching records with their scientific names and taxonomic details.
Names Similar to Rico
Sound Like Rico Finder
Names with the exact same overall pronunciation and sound: Ricky · Rick · Rickey · View all 54 names
Spelled Like Rico Finder
Names with similar spelling patterns and letter sequences: Ricko · Ricoh · Ricco · View all 9 names
Same Starting Sound Finder
Names that begin with a similar phonetic sound: Robert · Richard · Ryan · View all Top 100 names
Rhymes With Rico Finder
Names that share similar ending sounds and rhymes: Joe · Leo · Antonio · View all Top 100 names
Same Rhythm & Syllables Finder
Names with matching syllable stress and pronunciation rhythm: Robert · Michael · William · View all Top 100 names
Dictionary & Etymology of “Rico”
Dictionary Meaning of "Rico"Methodology
A diminutive of the male given names Ricardo, Federico, or Enrico
More Info
How to Spell Rico in ASL
- R
- i
- c
- o
Comments on the name Rico
Community CommentsShowing 5 of 8 comments
Lil_shady12
It could be used for any names ending in Rico like Alberico, Frederico, or Roderico.
Zwert_joekel
The name Rico was given to 107 baby boys born in the US in 2012.
Angel_emo_lt
Rico is one of the 4 penguins in Madagascar.
Suckmyswag1
Rico is a tomboyish female character in the Japanese anime and manga series "Gunslinger Girl," set in Italy.
Kellerangel9
This was used for the name of a female character in Yu Aida's manga (Japanese graphic novel/comic) Gunslinger Girl.