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Rikki

Boy / Girl name · 151 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Rikki: 151 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 18 births in 1983.

Rikki started life as a diminutive of Richard, from the Old German *rik* (“ruler”) and *hard* (“brave, strong”), so its core meaning is “powerful leader.” As a unisex form of Ricky, it has been given to both boys and girls in Scotland since the 1970s, often as a lively alternative to the more traditional Richard. The most famous bearer is probably American drummer Rikki Rockett of the glam metal band Poison, while the Indian mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi from Rudyard Kipling’s *The Jungle Book* gave the name a spirited, protective image. No major places are named after a Rikki, but the spelling shares its sound with the Japanese name *Riki* (“strength”). In Scotland, the name enjoyed a particular spike in the 1980s, possibly influenced by the pop duo Rikki & Dalt – Rikki being Scottish singer Rikki Peebles.