Eric
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Eternal ruler, ever powerful
Origin: Old Norse
Popularity: Ranked #273 in 2025 with 1,256 babies born.
History: Eric derives from the Old Norse 'Eiríkr,' combining 'ei' (ever, always) and 'ríkr' (ruler, powerful). It was a royal name among Vikings and Scandinavian kings. Eric the Red, the Norse explorer who founded the first European settlement in Greenland, is among its most famous bearers.
Famous people named Eric: Eric Clapton (musician), Eric Idle (comedian)
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Eric? About 1 in 2,650 babies born in 2025 were named Eric, or roughly 3.4 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Eric
What does the name Eric mean?
Eric means “Eternal ruler, ever powerful” from Old Norse roots.
What is the origin of the name Eric?
Eric has Old Norse origin. The traditional meaning is “Eternal ruler, ever powerful”.
How popular is Eric?
Eric ranked #273 in 2025 — given to 1,256 babies that year.
When was Eric most popular?
Eric peaked in 1970 with 23,573 babies registered that year.
Is Eric a boy or girl name?
Eric is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Erics in registered births are male.
Is the name Eric rising or falling in popularity?
Eric has fallen 75 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #198 in 2020 to #273 in 2025.
How long has Eric been recorded?
Eric appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.