Eric
Eric is a girl's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Always ruler or eternal ruler.
Origin and history
Eric is derived from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, combining elements meaning 'ever' or 'always' and 'ruler'. While historically and predominantly given to males, it has a documented record of female usage in the United States. It remains an enduring classic masculine name that occasionally crosses over as a gender-neutral option.
Popularity in the United States
4,293 babies in the United States have been named Eric since 1880. It ranks #2686 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (27.3 %)
- NY (12.1 %)
- TX (11.3 %)
- IL (8.8 %)
- OH (7.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 22 |
| 1950-1960 | 149 |
| 1960-1970 | 656 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,344 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,477 |
| 1990-2000 | 464 |
| 2000-2010 | 149 |
| 2010-2019 | 32 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Rick, Ricky
Fun facts
- The name was borne by several medieval Scandinavian kings and legendary heroes, including Erik the Red.
- While predominantly male, over 4,000 females in the United States have been officially named Eric since 1880.