Home › Baby Names Directory › Eric

Eric

♂ Boy

Pronounced AIR-ik /ˈɛr.ɪk/High

Meaning: Eternal ruler; ever powerful; from Old Norse Eiríkr: ei (ever, always) + ríkr (ruler, power)High

In 30 seconds: A Norse classic meaning 'eternal ruler,' borne by the legendary Viking explorer Eric the Red and his son Leif Ericson. A solid, timeless name with generations of strong connotations.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighOld Norse
MeaningEternal ruler; ever powerful; from Old Norse Eiríkr: ei (ever, always) + ríkr (ruler, power)
Peak year1970
Total births (all-time)≈ 874,738

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197018802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Eric derives from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, composed of ei ('ever, always') and ríkr ('ruler, power'), meaning 'eternal ruler.' The name was popular among Scandinavian kings and was spread throughout Europe by Viking activity. Eric the Red (Eiríkr rauði) founded the Norse settlement in Greenland around 985 CE.

Eric was a consistently popular boys' name in the United States from the 1950s through the 1990s, reaching a peak in the mid-1970s. It has declined since but remains a recognizable classic. The Erik/Eric spelling distinction reflects Scandinavian (Erik) vs. English (Eric) traditions.

Did you know? Erik the Red founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland around 985 CE, and his son Leif Ericson is believed to have sailed to North America — making the Ericsons among history's greatest explorers.

Variations

ErikErickErikk

Nicknames

Rick

Famous Bearers

  • ★Eric Clapton (b. 1945)
    British rock musician, widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in history.
  • ★Eric the Red (c. 950–c. 1003)
    Norse explorer who founded the first settlement in Greenland.

If you like Eric…

Aaron— similarly short, strong biblical classic with enduring appeal
Evan— Welsh form of John with the same crisp two-syllable energy

Frequently Asked

What does the name Eric mean?

Eric means 'eternal ruler' or 'ever powerful,' from Old Norse ei (ever) and ríkr (ruler).

How do you pronounce Eric?

Eric is pronounced AIR-ik (/ˈɛr.ɪk/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Eric a boy or girl name?

Eric is used exclusively as a boy's name; Erica is the feminine form.

How popular is Eric?

Eric was a top-20 U.S. boys' name from the 1950s through 1990s. It has declined but remains a recognized classic in the top 200.