Eric Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home ยป Baby Names ยป Eric Name Meaning

Fact: Eric the Red is credited with discovering Greenland and establishing the first Norse settlement there.

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A Deep Dive

Eric Overview

Meaning

Forever ruler, always ruler, ever, eternal ruler

Gender

Boy

Origin

Norse

Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse name โ€œEirรญkr,โ€ meaning โ€œeternal rulerโ€ or โ€œever powerful.โ€

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/หˆษ›rษชk/

Popularity

Eric is favored in Scandinavia, Germany, and the USA. In 2023, Eric ranked #203 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Cool

Associated Traits

Noble, dependable, classic

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with Viking heritage and Scandinavian kings.

Name Day

May 18 (Sweden)
A Deep Dive

Eric Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Erik, Eirik, Erich, Eryk, Erric

Common Nicknames

Ric, Riko, Eri, Rickie, Rixie

Diminutives

Rick, Ricky, Eri, Rix, Rico

Famous People

  • Eric Clapton
    (English Musician)
  • Eric Idle
    (British Comedian)
  • Eric Bana
    (Australian Actor)
  • Eric Holder
    (American Politician)
  • Eric Church
    (American Singer)
  • Eric Roberts
    (American Actor)
  • Eric Stonestreet
    (American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Eric Northman
    ("True Blood," TV Series)
  • Eric Forman
    ("That '70s Show," TV Series)
  • "Eric"
    (Novel by Terry Pratchett)
  • Eric Cartman
    ("South Park," TV Series)
  • Eric Draven
    ("The Crow," Film)
  • "Eric the Viking"
    (Film)
  • Eric Taylor
    ("Friday Night Lights," TV Series)
  • Eric Killmonger
    ("Black Panther," Film)

Places

  • Eric Street
    (Perth, Western Australia, Australia)
  • Eric Morecambe Center
    (Hertfordshire, England)

What Is the Meaning of Eric?

Eric means โ€œeternal rulerโ€ or โ€œforever powerful.โ€ This name often reflects a personality that is strong, confident, and naturally inclined toward leadership roles.

What Is the Origin of The Name Eric?

The name Eric has Norse origins, derived from the Old Norse name โ€œEirรญkr,โ€ which combines โ€œeiโ€ (ever, always) and โ€œrรญkrโ€ (ruler). It has been used in Scandinavia for centuries, traditionally tied to the regionโ€™s rich Viking heritage.

Eric Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Eric in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2142021#2292022#2272023
Top 3 Rankings#131973#131974#131975

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Eric

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023227
(+2 from 2022)
1541
(-17 from 2022)
0.08415
2022229
(-15 from 2021)
1558
(-230 from 2021)
0.08318
2021214
(-16 from 2020)
1788
(-128 from 2020)
0.09543
2020198
(-22 from 2019)
1916
(-287 from 2019)
0.10359
2019176
(-16 from 2018)
2203
(-204 from 2018)
0.11463
2018160
(-17 from 2017)
2407
(-373 from 2017)
0.12383
2017143
(-1 from 2016)
2780
(-148 from 2016)
0.14047
2016142
(-4 from 2015)
2928
(-117 from 2015)
0.14455
2015138
(-16 from 2014)
3045
(-276 from 2014)
0.14894
2014122
(-4 from 2013)
3321
(+56 from 2013)
0.16206
2013118
(-11 from 2012)
3265
(-371 from 2012)
0.16158
2012107
(-3 from 2011)
3636
(-114 from 2011)
0.17919
2011104
(-9 from 2010)
3750
(-449 from 2010)
0.18460
201095
No change from 2009
4199
(-446 from 2009)
0.20439
200995
(-9 from 2008)
4645
(-732 from 2008)
0.21901
200886
(-3 from 2007)
5377
(-582 from 2007)
0.24660
200783
(-6 from 2006)
5959
(-272 from 2006)
0.26902
200677
(-11 from 2005)
6231
(-466 from 2005)
0.28421
200566
(-5 from 2004)
6697
(-436 from 2004)
0.31481
200461
(-5 from 2003)
7133
(-654 from 2003)
0.33752
200356
(-4 from 2002)
7787
(-140 from 2002)
0.37060
200252
(-8 from 2001)
7927
(-632 from 2001)
0.38357
200144
(-2 from 2000)
8559
(-602 from 2000)
0.41380
200042
(-3 from 1999)
9161
(-220 from 1999)
0.43868
199939
No change from 1998
9381
(-583 from 1998)
0.46008
199839
(-4 from 1997)
9964
(-355 from 1997)
0.49141
199735
No change from 1996
10319
(-1288 from 1996)
0.51652
199635
(-3 from 1995)
11607
(-877 from 1995)
0.57927
199532
(-2 from 1994)
12484
(-827 from 1994)
0.62067
199430
(-1 from 1993)
13311
(-1237 from 1993)
0.65303
199329
(-3 from 1992)
14548
(-1597 from 1992)
0.70433
199226
(-1 from 1991)
16145
(-1905 from 1991)
0.76911
199125
(-1 from 1990)
18050
(-1378 from 1990)
0.85154
199024
(-3 from 1989)
19428
(+451 from 1989)
0.90278
198921
(-1 from 1988)
18977
(-1194 from 1988)
0.90540
198820
(+1 from 1987)
20171
(-31 from 1987)
1.00741
198721
(+1 from 1986)
20202
(+674 from 1986)
1.03589
198622
(-1 from 1985)
19528
(-1314 from 1985)
1.01619
198521
(+1 from 1984)
20842
(-113 from 1984)
1.08303
198422
(-2 from 1983)
20955
(+598 from 1983)
1.11659
198320
No change from 1982
20357
(+477 from 1982)
1.09236
198220
(-3 from 1981)
19880
(-834 from 1981)
1.05342
198117
(-1 from 1980)
20714
(-1900 from 1980)
1.11223
198016
(+1 from 1979)
22614
(+2345 from 1979)
1.21924
197917
(-1 from 1978)
20269
(+505 from 1978)
1.13151
197816
(+1 from 1977)
19764
(-982 from 1977)
1.15673
197717
(-4 from 1976)
20746
(-615 from 1976)
1.21367
197613
No change from 1975
21361
(+1561 from 1975)
1.30841
197513
No change from 1974
19800
(-391 from 1974)
1.22041
197413
No change from 1973
20191
(-609 from 1973)
1.23852
197313
(+3 from 1972)
20800
(-1234 from 1972)
1.28901
197216
(+2 from 1971)
22034
(-934 from 1971)
1.31621
197118
No change from 1970
22968
(-604 from 1970)
1.26346
197018
(+3 from 1969)
23572
(+2827 from 1969)
1.23752
196921
(+1 from 1968)
20745
(+2244 from 1968)
1.13413
196822
(+1 from 1967)
18501
(+670 from 1967)
1.04205
196723
(+2 from 1966)
17831
(+1357 from 1966)
1.00206
196625
No change from 1965
16474
(-357 from 1965)
0.90634
196525
(+7 from 1964)
16831
(+2268 from 1964)
0.88837
196432
(-1 from 1963)
14563
(+1287 from 1963)
0.71844
196331
(+2 from 1962)
13276
(+938 from 1962)
0.64302
196233
(+5 from 1961)
12338
(+1221 from 1961)
0.58705
196138
(+6 from 1960)
11117
(+586 from 1960)
0.51539
196044
(+2 from 1959)
10531
(+803 from 1959)
0.48634
195946
(+4 from 1958)
9728
(+1538 from 1958)
0.44902
195850
(+10 from 1957)
8190
(+1571 from 1957)
0.38007
195760
(+19 from 1956)
6619
(+1366 from 1956)
0.30239
195679
(+6 from 1955)
5253
(+595 from 1955)
0.24475
195585
(+4 from 1954)
4658
(+486 from 1954)
0.22284
195489
No change from 1953
4172
(+244 from 1953)
0.20163
195389
(-1 from 1952)
3928
(-62 from 1952)
0.19618
195288
(+5 from 1951)
3990
(+327 from 1951)
0.20220
195193
(+5 from 1950)
3663
(+568 from 1950)
0.19161
195098
(+6 from 1949)
3095
(+326 from 1949)
0.17017
1949104
(+10 from 1948)
2769
(+279 from 1948)
0.15366
1948114
(+8 from 1947)
2490
(+145 from 1947)
0.13967
1947122
(+12 from 1946)
2345
(+525 from 1946)
0.12624
1946134
(+19 from 1945)
1820
(+469 from 1945)
0.11028
1945153
(+5 from 1944)
1351
(+156 from 1944)
0.09851
1944158
(+3 from 1943)
1195
(+26 from 1943)
0.08602
1943161
(+21 from 1942)
1169
(+303 from 1942)
0.08036
1942182
(+17 from 1941)
866
(+163 from 1941)
0.06149
1941199
(+50 from 1940)
703
(+221 from 1940)
0.05602
1940249
(+9 from 1939)
482
(+50 from 1939)
0.04064
1939258
(+28 from 1938)
432
(+62 from 1938)
0.03812
1938286
(+23 from 1937)
370
(+71 from 1937)
0.03256
1937309
(+1 from 1936)
299
(+3 from 1936)
0.02734
1936310
(+10 from 1935)
296
(+8 from 1935)
0.02781
1935320
(+20 from 1934)
288
(+29 from 1934)
0.02693
1934340
(+12 from 1933)
259
(+25 from 1933)
0.02439
1933352
(+47 from 1932)
234
(+35 from 1932)
0.02294
1932399
(-14 from 1931)
199
(-14 from 1931)
0.01852
1931385
(+23 from 1930)
213
(+7 from 1930)
0.01991
1930408
(+2 from 1929)
206
(+2 from 1929)
0.01824
1929410
(-7 from 1928)
204
(-17 from 1928)
0.01842
1928403
(+16 from 1927)
221
(+13 from 1927)
0.01937
1927419
(-10 from 1926)
208
(-6 from 1926)
0.01790
1926409
(+1 from 1925)
214
(+3 from 1925)
0.01868
1925410
(-4 from 1924)
211
(-17 from 1924)
0.01833
1924406
(+57 from 1923)
228
(+53 from 1923)
0.01950
1923463
(-39 from 1922)
175
(-25 from 1922)
0.01546
1922424
(+34 from 1921)
200
(+21 from 1921)
0.01777
1921458
(-13 from 1920)
179
(-7 from 1920)
0.01573
1920445
(-19 from 1919)
186
(-4 from 1919)
0.01690
1919426
(-14 from 1918)
190
(-12 from 1918)
0.01871
1918412
(+1 from 1917)
202
(+16 from 1917)
0.01926
1917413
(+34 from 1916)
186
(+31 from 1916)
0.01939
1916447
(-11 from 1915)
155
No change from 1915
0.01679
1915436
(-42 from 1914)
155
(+10 from 1914)
0.01760
1914394
(+19 from 1913)
145
(+36 from 1913)
0.02122
1913413
(-14 from 1912)
109
(+16 from 1912)
0.02033
1912399
(+98 from 1911)
93
(+58 from 1911)
0.02060
1911497
(-76 from 1910)
35
(-6 from 1910)
0.01450
1910421
(+15 from 1909)
41
(+8 from 1909)
0.01966
1909436
(+2 from 1908)
33
(+3 from 1908)
0.01866
1908438
(+57 from 1907)
30
(+8 from 1907)
0.01803
1907495
(-132 from 1906)
22
(-11 from 1906)
0.01387
1906363
(+100 from 1905)
33
(+10 from 1905)
0.02291
1905463
(+124 from 1904)
23
(+8 from 1904)
0.01606
1904587
(-265 from 1903)
15
(-19 from 1903)
0.01083
1903322
(+66 from 1902)
34
(+8 from 1902)
0.02629
1902388
(-17 from 1901)
26
(+1 from 1901)
0.01959
1901371
(+147 from 1900)
25
(+4 from 1900)
0.02163
1900518
(-61 from 1899)
21
(+4 from 1899)
0.01295
1899457
(-107 from 1898)
17
(-13 from 1898)
0.01476
1898350
(-11 from 1897)
30
No change from 1897
0.02271
1897339
(+49 from 1896)
30
(+5 from 1896)
0.02460
1896388
(+49 from 1895)
25
(+5 from 1895)
0.01937
1895437
(-18 from 1894)
20
No change from 1894
0.01579
1894419
(+119 from 1893)
20
(+7 from 1893)
0.01601
1893538
(-80 from 1892)
13
(-5 from 1892)
0.01074
1892458
(-47 from 1891)
18
No change from 1891
0.01369
1891411
(+122 from 1890)
18
(+5 from 1890)
0.01647
1890533
(-145 from 1889)
13
(-8 from 1889)
0.01086
1889388
(+166 from 1888)
21
(+8 from 1888)
0.01764
1888554
(-10 from 1887)
13
(+2 from 1887)
0.01001
1887544
(+61 from 1886)
11
(+1 from 1886)
0.01006
1886605
(-143 from 1885)
10
(-6 from 1885)
0.00840
1885462
(+85 from 1884)
16
(+4 from 1884)
0.01380
1884547
(+9 from 1883)
12
(+1 from 1883)
0.00978
1883556
(+96 from 1882)
11
(+2 from 1882)
0.00978
1882652
(-57 from 1881)
9
No change from 1881
0.00738
1881595
(+5 from 1880)
9
(-1 from 1880)
0.00831
1880600
First SSA data recorded
10
First SSA data recorded
0.00845

American States Popularity Rankings for Eric

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1672021#1632022#1702023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2042021#2212022#2032023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1612021#1812022#2032023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1912021#2272022#2582023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2062021#2342022#3152023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2332021#2662022#2672023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1812021#2912022#2342023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1872021#2502022#2122023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2502021#2722022#2232023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2512021#2562022#2302023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2582021#3392022#2602023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2562021#3092022#3722023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1822021#2122022#2042023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2212021#2512022#2332023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1992021#3192022#3572023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1952021#2122022#2212023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3622021#4152022#3252023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1742021#2392022#2012023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2132021#2392022#2292023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1882021#2382022#2102023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2542021#1962022#3302023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1872021#2022022#1942023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3322021#2752022#2502023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#2302021#2732022#2612023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3102021#3362022#3622023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1932021#2542022#2032023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2772021#3082022#3162023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3002021#3312022#2682023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2232021#2452022#3862023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2962021#4252022#3342023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2802021#2582022#3062023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2042021#3782022#2312023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2182021#3572022#3332023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1792018#1982019#2212022

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2912021#3252022#2412023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2632020#3572021#2752023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4552020#3482021#3382023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1172021#2382022#1082023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1982015#1922016#2002017

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2382016#2282017#1502019

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1072018#2102019#2242022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2092021#2452022#1582023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4332021#2652022#4272023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2052020#1762022#1552023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2232018#1532019#2602023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1412021#1462022#1902023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1752017#2622019#2582023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1862015#2392017#1992019

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#632007#1222011#992021

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1482018#1532019#1562022

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1382009#902012#1122016

Popularity Rankings for Eric in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Catalonia, Spain

Catalonia, Spain flagCatalonia, Spain#62009#52010#32011

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#732016#122018#222019

Popularity in Romania

Romania flagRomania#192022

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#432020#392021#442022

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#482019#462020

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#831964#971965#1001993

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#1151920

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1262019#1292020#1322021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1862021#1332022#1412023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1732019#1442020#2682022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2642020#1562021#2182022

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1652007#1722008#1942010

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1672017#1832018#1962022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1912021#2052022#1722023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1762021#2212022#2722023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1791999#2002000#1982001

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1942004#1852007#2002008

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2772021#3312022#2352023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4772021#2362022#2782023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2672020#3762022#4462023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3692020#3012021#3202022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3142021#4002022#4512023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3292021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#4062022#3822023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Eric a Name for Boys or Girls?

Eric is mostly a male name, tracing back its origins in Old Norse culture, where it was commonly given to boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Eric

Eric in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places