Eric Boy

Popularity: #261 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AIR-ik //ˈɛrɪk//

Origin: Old Norse; Germanic

Meaning: Old Norse: eternal ruler; Germanic: ever powerful

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Eric has its roots in Old Norse, derived from the elements "ei" meaning "ever" or "always" and "rikr" meaning "ruler" or "king." This combination suggests a meaning akin to "eternal ruler" or "ever-powerful." The name was introduced into English through the influence of Scandinavian settlers and the Viking Age, particularly during the 8th to 11th centuries when Norse culture permeated parts of the British Isles. The Old Norse form "Eiríkr" evolved into various forms across different languages, including the Old French "Henri" and the Old High German "Heimirich," before settling into the modern English form, Eric.

Historically, the name Eric is associated with several notable figures, particularly in Scandinavian history. One of the earliest recorded bearers was Eric I of Norway, who reigned in the late 10th century.

The name also appears in various sagas and chronicles, including the Saga of Eric the Red, which recounts the exploration of Greenland in the 10th century. Additionally, Eric of Pomerania, who became King of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in the early 15th century, further solidified the name's prominence in royal contexts.

Culturally, the name Eric has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing leadership and strength. In medieval Scandinavia, it was a common name among kings and nobles, which contributed to its enduring legacy.

The name has also been associated with various saints, including Saint Eric, the patron saint of Sweden, who was martyred in the 12th century. This connection to nobility and sanctity has helped maintain the name's significance across generations, with diminutive forms like "Rick" or "Ricky" emerging in various cultures, though the original form remains the most recognized.

Famous people named Eric

In this section, you will find notable people named Eric. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Eric who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Eric who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Eric Clapton is a musician best known for Layla, Tears in Heaven, and Wonderful Tonight.

Eric Idle is a comedian and actor best known for Monty Python's Flying Circus, Spamalot, and The Rutles.

Eric Bana is an actor best known for Hulk, Munich, and The Time Traveler's Wife.

Eric Schmidt is a businessman best known for being the CEO of Google and Executive Chairman of Alphabet Inc.

Eric Roberts is an actor best known for Runaway Train, The Dark Knight, and The Expendables.

Eric McCormack is an actor best known for Will & Grace, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Travelers.

Eric Koston is a professional skateboarder best known for his contributions to street skating and his video parts.

Eric Lindros is a former professional ice hockey player best known for his time with the Philadelphia Flyers and winning the Hart Trophy.

Eric Bledsoe is a professional basketball player best known for his time with the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns.

Eric Church is a country music singer and songwriter best known for Springsteen, Chief, and Desperate Man.

Fictional characters named Eric

The following list of fictional characters named Eric is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Eric Cartman is a fictional character from the animated television series South Park. He is a controversial and often antagonistic character known for his crude humor and manipulative behavior.

Eric Draven is a fictional character from the comic book series and film The Crow. He is a rock musician who returns from the dead to seek vengeance for his and his fiancée's murder.

Eric Matthews is a fictional character from the television series Boy Meets World. He is the older brother of the main character, Cory, and is known for his comedic and often clueless personality.

Eric Northman is a fictional character from the book series The Southern Vampire Mysteries and the television series True Blood. He is a powerful vampire and owner of a bar, known for his charm and complex relationships with humans and other supernatural beings.

Eric Sullivan is a fictional character from the television series The Secret Life of the American Teenager. He is a supportive friend and character who navigates the challenges of adolescence alongside his peers.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Eric, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EthanEmmaEllaEvanElenaEli

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Eric. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DerekFrederickRoderickAlaricMerrickCedricKendrickJared

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Eric was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Eric has ranked as high as #25 nationally, which occurred in 1970, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Eric has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Eric is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Eric was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Eric.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,256 1,256 0
2024 1,406 1,406 0
2023 1,547 1,547 0
2022 1,561 1,561 0
2021 1,790 1,790 0
2020 1,917 1,917 0
2019 2,205 2,205 0
2018 2,410 2,410 0
2017 2,782 2,782 0
2016 2,935 2,930 5
2015 3,051 3,046 5
2014 3,328 3,323 5
2013 3,275 3,265 10
2012 3,637 3,637 0
2011 3,751 3,751 0
2010 4,208 4,201 7
2009 4,653 4,646 7
2008 5,385 5,377 8
2007 5,969 5,959 10
2006 6,243 6,232 11
2005 6,709 6,697 12
2004 7,162 7,133 29
2003 7,803 7,787 16
2002 7,945 7,928 17
2001 8,572 8,559 13
2000 9,188 9,162 26
1999 9,404 9,382 22
1998 9,985 9,964 21
1997 10,354 10,317 37
1996 11,647 11,611 36
1995 12,523 12,485 38
1994 13,364 13,311 53
1993 14,597 14,548 49
1992 16,201 16,145 56
1991 18,124 18,051 73
1990 19,509 19,430 79
1989 19,092 18,977 115
1988 20,340 20,175 165
1987 20,361 20,203 158
1986 19,678 19,528 150
1985 21,007 20,844 163
1984 21,103 20,955 148
1983 20,501 20,347 154
1982 20,015 19,878 137
1981 20,846 20,712 134
1980 22,764 22,611 153
1979 20,409 20,268 141
1978 19,911 19,761 150
1977 20,869 20,745 124
1976 21,492 21,359 133
1975 19,917 19,793 124
1974 20,332 20,193 139
1973 20,932 20,802 130
1972 22,145 22,027 118
1971 23,099 22,962 137
1970 23,719 23,571 148
1969 20,875 20,747 128
1968 18,580 18,501 79
1967 17,920 17,830 90
1966 16,556 16,475 81
1965 16,894 16,826 68
1964 14,624 14,567 57
1963 13,321 13,278 43
1962 12,389 12,348 41
1961 11,154 11,111 43
1960 10,565 10,539 26
1959 9,761 9,726 35
1958 8,210 8,190 20
1957 6,640 6,621 19
1956 5,265 5,252 13
1955 4,667 4,660 7
1954 4,176 4,169 7
1953 3,941 3,929 12
1952 4,005 3,989 16
1951 3,675 3,664 11
1950 3,104 3,095 9
1949 2,773 2,768 5
1948 2,496 2,491 5
1947 2,349 2,344 5
1946 1,820 1,820 0
1945 1,351 1,351 0
1944 1,195 1,195 0
1943 1,170 1,170 0
1942 873 866 7
1941 703 703 0
1940 482 482 0
1939 432 432 0
1938 370 370 0
1937 299 299 0
1936 296 296 0
1935 288 288 0
1934 259 259 0
1933 234 234 0
1932 199 199 0
1931 213 213 0
1930 206 206 0
1929 205 205 0
1928 221 221 0
1927 208 208 0
1926 214 214 0
1925 211 211 0
1924 228 228 0
1923 175 175 0
1922 200 200 0
1921 179 179 0
1920 186 186 0
1919 190 190 0
1918 202 202 0
1917 186 186 0
1916 155 155 0
1915 155 155 0
1914 145 145 0
1913 109 109 0
1912 93 93 0
1911 35 35 0
1910 41 41 0
1909 33 33 0
1908 30 30 0
1907 22 22 0
1906 33 33 0
1905 23 23 0
1904 15 15 0
1903 34 34 0
1902 26 26 0
1901 25 25 0
1900 21 21 0
1899 17 17 0
1898 30 30 0
1897 30 30 0
1896 25 25 0
1895 20 20 0
1894 20 20 0
1893 13 13 0
1892 18 18 0
1891 18 18 0
1890 13 13 0
1889 21 21 0
1888 13 13 0
1887 11 11 0
1886 10 10 0
1885 16 16 0
1884 12 12 0
1883 11 11 0
1882 9 9 0
1881 9 9 0
1880 10 10 0

Top States for Eric (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 234
17%
TX 186
13%
FL 86
6%
NY 63
5%
PA 55
4%
OH 54
4%
WA 43
3%
AZ 39
3%
NC 36
3%
GA 36
3%
NJ 35
3%
TN 34
2%
MI 32
2%
VA 32
2%
IL 30
2%
MA 29
2%
MO 26
2%
SC 25
2%
AL 24
2%
IN 23
2%
MD 21
2%
KY 21
2%
CO 19
1%
LA 18
1%
WI 17
1%
OK 17
1%
MN 16
1%
NV 15
1%
UT 15
1%
OR 14
1%
KS 10
1%
AR 9
1%
NM 9
1%
CT 9
1%
MS 9
1%
ID 7
1%
DC 6
0%
DE 6
0%
AK 5
0%
ND 5
0%
RI 5
0%
ME 5
0%
MT 5
0%