Dick

For many more names, please Return to Edgar's Main Page.

Dick

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Dick is an English diminutive for the name Richard, the English form of an Old German name, Ricohard. It originally meant “Strong Ruler” from “ric” (ruler) and “hard” (strong).

History:
Dick is a very old nickname, being used since the 12th century in England, said to have arisen when native Anglo-Saxon speakers tried to pronounce the Norman “R” of names like Richard.

In the 20th century Dick has taken on a derogatory meaning, and is little used.
Please see Richard for more information.

Pronunciation: dick.

Diminutives:
English: Dickie, Dickon.

Surnames:
English: Dickens.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Dick (Richard Stanley) Francis (1920-)
British writer.

Fictional Characters:
Dick Tracy
Comic strip character created by Chester Gould in 1931.

Miscellaneous:
Richard “Dick” Turpin (1705-1739)
Famous English robber.

Political Figures:
Richard “Dick” Whittington (-1423)
Lord mayor of London.
Dick (Richard Keith) Armey (1940-)
American politican.
Dick (Andrew Richard) Gephardt (1941-)
American politican.
Dick (Richard Bruce) Cheney (1941-)
Vice-president of the United States.

Singers and Entertainers:
Dick Van Dyke (1925-)
American actor.

Sports Stars:
Dick Butkus (1942-)
American football player.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.009 % named Dick

Popularity of Dick:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1800: 97th most popular.
1850: 130th most popular.
1875: 208th most popular.
1900-1910: 434th most popular.
1910-1920: 426th most popular.
1920-1930: 271st most popular.
1930-1940: 164th most popular.
1940-1950: 221st most popular.
1950-1960: 528th most popular.
1960-1970: 773rd most popular.
1970-2000: N/A