Erica
Erica is a girl's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Always ruler, sole ruler, or eternal ruler.
Origin and history
Erica is the feminine form of Eric, derived from Old Norse elements meaning everlasting ruler. It gained strong popularity in the United States during the late 20th century, though its modern usage has become less frequent. Today it remains a familiar, classic choice for girls.
Popularity in the United States
231,613 babies in the United States have been named Erica since 1880. It ranks #173 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1155.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.3 %)
- TX (9 %)
- NY (8 %)
- IL (5 %)
- PA (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 21 |
| 1920-1930 | 58 |
| 1930-1940 | 83 |
| 1940-1950 | 521 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,537 |
| 1960-1970 | 6,325 |
| 1970-1980 | 49,595 |
| 1980-1990 | 93,159 |
| 1990-2000 | 55,762 |
| 2000-2010 | 18,871 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,585 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,091 |
Famous people named Erica
- Erica Jong: author, poet
- Erica Durance: actress
Nicknames
Eri, Ricky, Rikki
Fun facts
- Erica is also the scientific genus name for heaths and heathers, flowering plants native to Europe and Africa.
- The name reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s as a top feminine given name.