Erik Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Erik Name Meaning

Fact: Erik the Red (950 – c. 1003) is a popular representative for the name when he founded the first settlement in Greenland in the early age.

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A Deep Dive

Erik Overview

Meaning

Eternal ruler

Gender

Boy

Origin

Old Norse

Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse name “Eiríkr,” meaning “eternal ruler.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈɛrɪk/

Popularity

Erik is popular in Scandinavia, Germany, and Central Europe, often ranking in the top 100 names. In the USA, it ranked #454 for boys in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Classic, Cool, Vintage, Short

Associated Traits

Strong, intelligent, charismatic, determined

Name Day

January 18 (Sweden)​, May 18th
A Deep Dive

Erik Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Eric, Erick, Erich, Eirik, Eryk, Eirikur, Erryk, Errick, Erek, Eriq

Common Nicknames

Rick, Eri, Riko, E-man, E-dog, Riky, Rik, Eriko, Eriks, Erikito

Diminutives

Eri, Eriquito, Riko, Eriko, Eriks

Famous People

  • Erik Erikson
    (German-American Psychologist)
  • Erik Estrada
    (American TV Actor)
  • Erik Per Sullivan
    (American TV Actor)
  • Erik ten Hag
    (Dutch Soccer Coach)
  • Erik Spoelstra
    (Filipino-American Basketball Coach)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Erik
    (The Phantom of the Opera, Novel)
  • Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
    (X-Men, Comic Series)
  • Erik Killmonger
    (Black Panther, Film)
  • Erik Heller
    (Hanna, Film)
  • Erik Selvig
    (Thor, Film)

Places

  • Erik Village
    (Kastamonu, Turkey)

What Is the Meaning of Erik?

Erik means “eternal ruler,” reflecting a strong and authoritative personality.

What Is the Origin of The Name Erik?

The name Erik originates from Old Norse, derived from the elements “ei,” meaning “ever” or “eternal,” and “ríkr,” meaning “ruler” or “king.”

Erik Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#4412021#4322022#4542023
Top 3 Rankings#641980#661979#761981

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Erik

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023454
(-22 from 2022)
675
(-40 from 2022)
0.03686
2022432
(+9 from 2021)
715
(+16 from 2021)
0.03817
2021441
(-19 from 2020)
699
(-9 from 2020)
0.03731
2020422
(-38 from 2019)
708
(-106 from 2019)
0.03828
2019384
(-5 from 2018)
814
(-39 from 2018)
0.04236
2018379
(-11 from 2017)
853
(-47 from 2017)
0.04388
2017368
(-13 from 2016)
900
(-48 from 2016)
0.04547
2016355
(-18 from 2015)
948
(-70 from 2015)
0.04680
2015337
(-8 from 2014)
1018
(-19 from 2014)
0.04979
2014329
(-19 from 2013)
1037
(-68 from 2013)
0.05060
2013310
(-20 from 2012)
1105
(-117 from 2012)
0.05468
2012290
(-13 from 2011)
1222
(-44 from 2011)
0.06022
2011277
(-21 from 2010)
1266
(-71 from 2010)
0.06232
2010256
(-23 from 2009)
1337
(-218 from 2009)
0.06508
2009233
(-20 from 2008)
1555
(-240 from 2008)
0.07332
2008213
(-14 from 2007)
1795
(-233 from 2007)
0.08232
2007199
(-10 from 2006)
2028
(-102 from 2006)
0.09155
2006189
(-6 from 2005)
2130
(-98 from 2005)
0.09716
2005183
(-11 from 2004)
2228
(-137 from 2004)
0.10473
2004172
(-14 from 2003)
2365
(-185 from 2003)
0.11191
2003158
(-2 from 2002)
2550
(+90 from 2002)
0.12136
2002156
(-1 from 2001)
2460
(-114 from 2001)
0.11903
2001155
(-12 from 2000)
2574
(-147 from 2000)
0.12444
2000143
(-4 from 1999)
2721
(-2 from 1999)
0.13030
1999139
(+1 from 1998)
2723
(+47 from 1998)
0.13355
1998140
(-6 from 1997)
2676
(-181 from 1997)
0.13198
1997134
(-12 from 1996)
2857
(-163 from 1996)
0.14301
1996122
(-11 from 1995)
3020
(-412 from 1995)
0.15072
1995111
(-12 from 1994)
3432
(-314 from 1994)
0.17063
199499
(+6 from 1993)
3746
(+258 from 1993)
0.18378
1993105
(-7 from 1992)
3488
(-328 from 1992)
0.16887
199298
(-3 from 1991)
3816
(-75 from 1991)
0.18179
199195
(+1 from 1990)
3891
(-62 from 1990)
0.18356
199096
(-1 from 1989)
3953
(+324 from 1989)
0.18369
198995
(-2 from 1988)
3629
(+152 from 1988)
0.17314
198893
(+1 from 1987)
3477
(+245 from 1987)
0.17365
198794
(-2 from 1986)
3232
(+123 from 1986)
0.16573
198692
(-5 from 1985)
3109
(-263 from 1985)
0.16178
198587
(-3 from 1984)
3372
(-51 from 1984)
0.17522
198484
(-4 from 1983)
3423
(-212 from 1983)
0.18239
198380
No change from 1982
3635
(+1 from 1982)
0.19505
198280
(-4 from 1981)
3634
(-289 from 1981)
0.19256
198176
(-12 from 1980)
3923
(-990 from 1980)
0.21064
198064
(+2 from 1979)
4913
(+275 from 1979)
0.26489
197966
(+19 from 1978)
4638
(+1376 from 1978)
0.25892
197885
(+9 from 1977)
3262
(+476 from 1977)
0.19092
197794
No change from 1976
2786
(+30 from 1976)
0.16299
197694
(-7 from 1975)
2756
(-98 from 1975)
0.16881
197587
(+3 from 1974)
2854
(-27 from 1974)
0.17591
197490
(-4 from 1973)
2881
(-178 from 1973)
0.17672
197386
No change from 1972
3059
(-340 from 1972)
0.18957
197286
(+11 from 1971)
3399
(+186 from 1971)
0.20304
197197
(+4 from 1970)
3213
(-34 from 1970)
0.17675
1970101
(+18 from 1969)
3247
(+526 from 1969)
0.17047
1969119
(+5 from 1968)
2721
(+353 from 1968)
0.14876
1968124
(+9 from 1967)
2368
(+117 from 1967)
0.13338
1967133
(+12 from 1966)
2251
(+288 from 1966)
0.12650
1966145
No change from 1965
1963
(-157 from 1965)
0.10800
1965145
(+76 from 1964)
2120
(+956 from 1964)
0.11190
1964221
(+77 from 1963)
1164
(+490 from 1963)
0.05742
1963298
(+45 from 1962)
674
(+157 from 1962)
0.03265
1962343
(+4 from 1961)
517
(-3 from 1961)
0.02460
1961347
(+14 from 1960)
520
(+51 from 1960)
0.02411
1960361
(+22 from 1959)
469
(+41 from 1959)
0.02166
1959383
(+43 from 1958)
428
(+88 from 1958)
0.01976
1958426
(+4 from 1957)
340
(+16 from 1957)
0.01578
1957430
(+46 from 1956)
324
(+71 from 1956)
0.01480
1956476
(+18 from 1955)
253
(+31 from 1955)
0.01179
1955494
(-7 from 1954)
222
(+2 from 1954)
0.01062
1954487
(+20 from 1953)
220
(+29 from 1953)
0.01063
1953507
(+3 from 1952)
191
(+4 from 1952)
0.00954
1952510
(+42 from 1951)
187
(+34 from 1951)
0.00948
1951552
(+40 from 1950)
153
(+21 from 1950)
0.00800
1950592
(-57 from 1949)
132
(-22 from 1949)
0.00726
1949535
(+156 from 1948)
154
(+61 from 1948)
0.00855
1948691
(-73 from 1947)
93
(-28 from 1947)
0.00522
1947618
(+45 from 1946)
121
(+26 from 1946)
0.00651
1946663
(-47 from 1945)
95
(-1 from 1945)
0.00576
1945616
(+158 from 1944)
96
(+31 from 1944)
0.00700
1944774
(-50 from 1943)
65
(-14 from 1943)
0.00468
1943724
(+143 from 1942)
79
(+22 from 1942)
0.00543
1942867
(+3 from 1941)
57
(+4 from 1941)
0.00405
1941870
(+97 from 1940)
53
(+9 from 1940)
0.00422
1940967
(+48 from 1939)
44
(+5 from 1939)
0.00371
19391015
(+134 from 1938)
39
(+7 from 1938)
0.00344
19381149
(+223 from 1937)
32
(+8 from 1937)
0.00282
19371372
(+215 from 1936)
24
(+6 from 1936)
0.00219
19361587
(-197 from 1935)
18
(-6 from 1935)
0.00169
19351390
(-4 from 1934)
24
No change from 1934
0.00224
19341386
(+19 from 1933)
24
(+1 from 1933)
0.00226
19331405
(+696 from 1932)
23
(+10 from 1932)
0.00225
19322101
(-409 from 1931)
13
(-5 from 1931)
0.00121
19311692
(+128 from 1930)
18
(+1 from 1930)
0.00168
19301820
(-91 from 1929)
17
(-2 from 1929)
0.00151
19291729
(+1347 from 1928)
19
(+11 from 1928)
0.00172
19283076
(-1205 from 1927)
8
(-10 from 1927)
0.00070
19271871
(+110 from 1926)
18
(+2 from 1926)
0.00155
19261981
(+607 from 1925)
16
(+5 from 1925)
0.00140
19252588
(-960 from 1924)
11
(-12 from 1924)
0.00096
19241628
(+495 from 1923)
23
(+8 from 1923)
0.00197
19232123
(+363 from 1922)
15
(+3 from 1922)
0.00132
19222486
(+146 from 1921)
12
(+1 from 1921)
0.00107
19212632
(+576 from 1920)
11
(+3 from 1920)
0.00097
19203208
(-810 from 1918)
8
(-4 from 1918)
0.00073
19190
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19182398
(+558 from 1917)
12
(+4 from 1917)
0.00114
19172956
(-413 from 1916)
8
(-2 from 1916)
0.00083
19162543
(-233 from 1915)
10
(-1 from 1915)
0.00108
19152310
(+605 from 1914)
11
(+5 from 1914)
0.00125
19142915
(-1175 from 1911)
6
(+1 from 1911)
0.00088
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19111740
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00207
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Erik

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3052021#3222022#3432023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3362021#3052022#2932023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#5092021#5112022#3742023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#5012021#3922022#5012023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#6702021#4792022#5172023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5612021#6062022#7532023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#4932021#4322022#4582023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#5202021#6102022#4112023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3412021#2982022#4002023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4722021#5232022#4242023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#6112021#5392022#7692023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#5092021#4872022#4822023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4602021#7052022#8172023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2752021#4432022#2812023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2662021#4532022#5222023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#7862021#5072022#7272023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3632021#4432022#3202023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4982021#4512022#7992023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4782020#3982021#4122022

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5022021#6752022#8402023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#6622021#4252022#5842023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5182021#6572022#6562023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#8942021#7242022#5402023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#5252021#3042022#5242023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#5922017#5822018#5792019

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5062021#7682022#4402023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4292021#5962022#5912023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3732021#5112022#3482023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2862021#3442022#4032023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3362018#3482020#3062023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4312021#8572022#8542023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3912013#4632016#4572019

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6252021#5782022#4572023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#5282020#4232022#5022023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2022008#1942015#2222020

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6442021#3982022#6572023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2632017#3642018#3522019

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1552004#2272007#1942014

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2322005#1832007#2392020

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1562002#1742003#1632004

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4612020#4502021#5062023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1832017#1382020#1912021

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2272004#2462006#1952013

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1632003#1902008#1992011

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4872019#4882021#4272022

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2902004#2452005#2892006

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2482001#1722002#2832004

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1912000#2332008#2612015

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1652004#1582006#1732008

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1101998#992001#1182003

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1211993#731996#1472003

Popularity Rankings for Erik in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#602021#72022#312023

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#392021#362022#28First half of 2023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#422021#422022#472023

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#442021#452022#432023

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#432019#482022

Popularity in Slovakia

Slovakia flagSlovakia#452020#472021#482022

Popularity in Hungary

Hungary flagHungary#472021#472022#472023

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#492020#662021#642022

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#522020#502021#672022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#512021#632022#592023

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#792020#742021#682022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#752021#792022#832023

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#1072020#1352021#1082022

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#1182014#1202015#1172016

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#1382019#1492020#1632021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1842008#1672009#1932011

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1691999#1982001#1832002

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1982020#2842021#2912022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2272021#2672022#2922023

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#2842020#3202021

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3292019#3462020#3102021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3262021#3112022#3482023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4262020#4252022#3212023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#3262021#3292022#3622023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3272012#3662015#3872016

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#4872021#5622022#4402023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#5872020#5592021#7772022

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

Is Erik a Name for Boys or Girls?

Erik is traditionally a boy’s name, rooted in its Scandinavian origins and association with historical kings and rulers.

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

Erik in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Erik Erikson (Psychologist, 1902–1994): A German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory on psychosocial development of humans.
  • Erik Estrada (TV Actor, 1949): An American actor best known for his role as Frank 'Ponch' Poncherello on the police drama "CHiPs."
  • Erik Per Sullivan (TV Actor, 1991): An American actor known for his role as Dewey on the sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle."
  • Erik ten Hag (Soccer Coach, 1970): A Dutch soccer manager who has coached several top European clubs.
  • Erik Spoelstra (Basketball Coach, 1970): A Filipino-American NBA coach who led the Miami Heat to multiple NBA championships.
  • Erik (The Phantom of the Opera, 1910 Novel): A tragic character with a deformed face, living beneath the Paris Opera House, and known for his obsessive love for Christine.
  • Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (X-Men, 1963 Comic Series): A powerful mutant who can control magnetic fields, often clashing with the X-Men.
  • Erik Killmonger (Black Panther, 2018 Film): A fierce adversary of Black Panther, with a personal vendetta against Wakanda.
  • Erik Heller (Hanna, 2011 Film): A former CIA operative who trains his daughter, Hanna, to be a skilled assassin.
  • Erik Selvig (Thor, 2011 Film): A brilliant astrophysicist who aids Thor and the Avengers in their battles.
  • Erik Village (Kastamonu, Turkey): A small village in the Kastamonu region, known for its rural charm and traditional lifestyle.

Similar Names to Erik

  • Erikson
  • Erich
  • Eriq
  • Erin
  • Erian
  • Ericksen
  • Erie
  • Ericson
  • Erek