Erik
Erik is a boy's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Eternal ruler or ever powerful.
Origin and history
Erik is a classic male name of Old Norse origin meaning 'eternal ruler' or 'ever powerful'. It has been a steady, well-established choice in the United States for over a century. The name offers a sleek, Scandinavian alternative to the traditional English spelling, Eric.
Popularity in the United States
157,461 babies in the United States have been named Erik since 1880. It ranks #218 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #450.
States where it is most popular
- CA (20.5 %)
- TX (8.2 %)
- NY (7.6 %)
- IL (6.1 %)
- PA (3.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 52 |
| 1920-1930 | 141 |
| 1930-1940 | 232 |
| 1940-1950 | 857 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,450 |
| 1960-1970 | 14,770 |
| 1970-1980 | 32,094 |
| 1980-1990 | 36,350 |
| 1990-2000 | 33,605 |
| 2000-2010 | 22,408 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,506 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,996 |
Famous people named Erik
- Erik Erikson: Psychologist, Author
- Erik Satie: Composer, Pianist
- Erik Karlsson: Athlete, Hockey Player
Nicknames
Rick, Ricky
Fun facts
- The name was borne by numerous medieval Scandinavian kings, including Erik the Red.
- Erik with a 'k' is the traditional spelling in Scandinavian and Slavic languages.