Riker Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Riker is a name with Old Norse origins, meaning powerful or rich. It evolved from 'ríkr' in Old Norse to 'ricker' in Middle English, eventually becoming Riker in Modern English. The name is characterized by traits of strength and richness, with no direct biblical relevance. Its popularity surged in the late 20th century, largely due to its association with pop culture figures.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Riker"
Pronunciation
/ˈraɪkər/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Riker is derived from the Old Norse word 'ríkr', which means 'powerful' or 'rich'. It has also been associated with the surname derived from 'ricker', meaning 'to rise'.
Meaning
powerful, rich
Language Evolution
Old Norse: ríkr, Middle English: ricker, Modern English: Riker
Historical Usage
The name Riker gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century, particularly influenced by the character Will Riker from the television series 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'.
Variants & Derivatives
Riker, Rik, Ricky
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Riker is perceived as a modern and unique name, often associated with strength and charisma, particularly due to its pop culture references.
Famous People
Will Riker (fictional character), Riker Lynch (musician and actor)
📊 Riker Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Riker Name Visualizations
✨ Riker Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 95 peak births in 2015
Geographic Spread
Popular across 16 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 3 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Riker"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Riker"
"Riker" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8179th of 16616 | 55 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5546th of 24088 | 224 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1950th of 23106 | 929 |
Regional Popularity of "Riker" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
46.76% 1863rd/3984 |
83.98% 3768th/4487 |
33.77% 2304th/6822 |
29.43% 1847th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Riker" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Riker"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Riker" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Riker" in the United States
The name Riker is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Riker has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Riker' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8179th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5546th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1950th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Riker' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.