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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rico

Rico

♂ Boy

Pronounced REE-koh /ˈɹi.koʊ/Medium

Meaning: Diminutive of Enrico/Federico; from Germanic 'ric' (power, ruler)Medium

In 30 seconds: Rico is a diminutive of Enrico or Federico, drawing on the Germanic 'ric' meaning power or ruler.
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Origin MediumSpanish, Italian
MeaningDiminutive of Enrico/Federico; from Germanic 'ric' (power, ruler)
U.S. rank (2025)#1805 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births89 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1991
Total births (all-time)≈ 9,924

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199119152025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Rico developed as a short, lively form of names like Enrico and Federico, which carry the Germanic element 'ric' for power or ruler. The clipped form became a confident standalone name, especially in Italian and Spanish-speaking settings. Its sense of strength comes through the 'ric' root behind it.

Rico is punchy and upbeat, two syllables with a strong final vowel. It belongs to a wider 'ric' family that includes forms like Henrik and Enric across Europe.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Rico is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Rico — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

HenrikEndikaEnricRicardJindřich

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Rico Rodriguez (1998-)
    American actor who played Manny on the sitcom Modern Family
  • ★Rico Lebrun (1900-1964)
    Italian-American painter and sculptor
  • ★Rico Wade (1972-2024)
    American record producer and member of the production team Organized Noize

If you like Rico…

Henrik— A Nordic form sharing the 'ric' power root, named in its variations.
Rocco— shares the -co ending
Marco— echoes that soft -co sound
Franco— another Italian name
Francesco— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Rico

By themespanishitalian
By meaningStrengthRoyal / Noble

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rico mean?

Rico is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Spanish tradition.

How do you pronounce Rico?

It's commonly said REE-koh /ˈɹi.koʊ/.

Is Rico a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Rico is used as a boy name.

How popular is Rico?

In 2024, Rico ranked #1700 in the U.S. for boys, with 98 births recorded.

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