Rico is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the word "rico," which means "rich" in English. It is often used as a given name but can also be used as a surname.
The name Rico has been popular throughout history, with notable figures bearing this name including Rico Suave, an American rapper known for his hit song "Rico Suave," and Rico Rodriguez, the young actor who plays Manny Delgado in the television series Modern Family.
In literature, there is also a character named Rico in the novel "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway. This character, Ricardo "Rico" Carleton, is a wealthy American bullfighter living in France during the 1920s.
Overall, the name Rico has been widely used throughout history and across different cultures, reflecting its enduring appeal as a strong and distinctive name choice. Its meaning of "rich" may also contribute to its popularity, as it can symbolize wealth, abundance, or prosperity.
The name Rico has seen a fascinating journey in terms of popularity over the past century in the United States. The earliest data available is from 1915, with just 11 babies named Rico that year. This number fluctuated over the next decade, ranging between 5 and 9 births per year until 1929.
There was a significant spike in popularity starting in the early 1940s. In 1947, there were 6 births, but this rose to 14 in 1949 - more than double the previous year's total. This trend continued into the 1950s, with a peak of 59 births in 1961.
The popularity of the name Rico began to decline in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching a low of just 142 births in 1970. However, it then started to rise again, reaching 318 births in 1976, which was a significant increase from previous years.
The 1980s saw another fluctuation in popularity, with the highest number of births being 295 in 1990. The following decade began with high numbers (319 births in 1991), but then it started to decline again towards the end of the 1990s.
Since the turn of the century, there has been a steady decrease in the popularity of the name Rico. From a peak of 150 births in 2004, the number has steadily decreased, reaching a low of 105 births in 2022. Despite this decline, Rico remains a recognizable and unique name choice.
In total, there have been 9736 babies named Rico born in the United States since records began until 2022. This data demonstrates how the popularity of a name can fluctuate over time and that even with fluctuations, a name like Rico can still be chosen for thousands of children.