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Ricardo

Boy name · 17 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ricardo: 17 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 6 births in 1989.

Of Spanish and Portuguese origin, Ricardo is the Iberian form of Richard, derived from the Old Germanic elements *rīc* (power, ruler) and *hard* (brave, strong) — so it carries the meaning of "powerful ruler" or "brave leader." Perhaps its most iconic bearer is the 20th-century Peruvian poet Ricardo Palma, known for his literary reinvention of Peruvian traditions; more recently, the name graces the Brazilian Formula One world champion Ricardo Zonta. The name shares its root with the English surname Richardson, which has been borne by several notable explorers and a famous 18th-century novelist. Ricardo is also a common given name in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking football, which means Scotland’s own small yet multicultural naming pool has welcomed it steadily over the decades, adding a warm international accent alongside more traditional Scottish names.