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Richard has always been a very popular name throughout the English-speaking world. It was first imported to England by the Normans, though it is derived from the Germanic elements "ric" (power) and "hard" (strong, hardy). The original form was probably pronounced with a hard C (RICK hart). Richard was the name of three English kings.

A famous bearer is US President Richard Nixon - who resigned due to the Watergate scandal. Richard Dawkins is an outspoken atheist, who wrote the recent book 'The God Delusion'. Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur, the founder of the 'Virgin' group.

The name is borne by several composers such as Richard Wagner - responsible for the 'Ring Cycle', German Romantic Richard Strauss and Richard Rodgers - one half of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Actors bearing the name Richard include Richard Dreyfuss, Richard Gere, Richard Pryor and Richard Burton.