Richie

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. A familiar, informal nickname given to a man whose full first name is Richard
2. A short, friendly form of the name Richard, often used by friends and family
3. An affectionate diminutive of Richard, commonly used as a given name or nickname

Etymology: "Richie" is a diminutive of "Richard," the Germanic name formed from "ric" (power, rule) and "hard" (hardy, brave). Pet forms of personal names like this were used affectionately for a child or a familiar friend, and the same ending appears in many other English nicknames, such as "Johnnie" or "Davy." The name itself is ancient in English, borne by kings and nobles from the Norman period onward, so the nickname grew out of a long tradition of familiar forms. Its spelling and sound have shifted over time, but it still carries the sense of an informal, friendly address that the "-ie" ending was designed to express.