Boy · 23rd of 16,616
Eric
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
891,929
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1970
Peak Popularity Year
23,721
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Eric stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Eric originates from Old Norse, meaning 'eternal ruler'. It evolved from the historical forms Eiríkr and has variants like Erik and Eryk. The name is associated with qualities of strength and leadership, with no significant biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the Viking Age and remains a well-regarded name in modern times.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛrɪk/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Eric is derived from the Old Norse name 'Eiríkr', which consists of the elements 'ei' meaning 'ever' or 'always' and 'ríkr' meaning 'ruler' or 'king'.
Meaning
eternal ruler
Language Evolution
Eiríkr, Ericus, Erik, Erich
Historical Usage
The name Eric gained popularity in Scandinavia during the Viking Age and became widely used across Europe by the Middle Ages.
Variants & Derivatives
Erik, Eryk, Frederick
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Eric is regarded as a strong and classic name, often associated with leadership and nobility.
Famous People
Eric Clapton, Eric Idle, Eric Schmidt, Eric Cantona
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 23,721 peak births in 1970
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 12 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 423rd of 7545 | 3,153 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 251st of 6773 | 8,989 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 55th of 7552 | 124,557 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 21st of 10718 | 324,489 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 23rd of 16616 | 287,211 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 60th of 24088 | 110,725 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 163rd of 23106 | 28,165 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8498th of 9204 | 7 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2549th of 12526 | 374 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1025th of 19264 | 1,943 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1402nd of 27321 | 1,708 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 7590th of 35406 | 236 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 20142nd of 30306 | 25 |