Erica Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ER-ih-kah /ˈɛrɪkə/
Origin: Latin; Old Norse
Meaning: Latin: ruler; Old Norse: eternal ruler
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Erica has its roots in the Old Norse name "Eiríkr," which is derived from the elements "ei," meaning "ever," and "ríkr," meaning "ruler" or "king." This name was brought to England by Scandinavian settlers during the Viking Age, around the 8th to 11th centuries. The transition into English saw the name evolve, with variations appearing in different regions and dialects, ultimately leading to the modern form "Erica." The name has also been associated with the Latin word "erica," meaning "heather," a flowering plant that holds significance in various cultures, symbolizing admiration and protection.
Historically, the name Erica gained prominence through its association with notable figures and literary works. In the 19th century, the name was popularized in literature, notably through the character Erica in the novel "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper, published in 1826.
Additionally, the name has been borne by various saints and historical figures, contributing to its enduring presence in European cultures. The name's association with nobility and leadership, stemming from its etymological roots, has further solidified its status across different societies.
Culturally, Erica has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing strength and resilience. The name has been used in numerous artistic and literary contexts, reinforcing its significance in Western culture.
In some traditions, diminutive forms like "Rica" have emerged, reflecting a more affectionate or familiar usage. Overall, the name Erica encapsulates a rich historical tapestry, intertwining linguistic evolution, cultural resonance, and symbolic meaning.
Famous people named Erica
In this section, you will find notable people named Erica. 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 Erica who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Erica 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.
Erica Jong is an author best known for Fear of Flying, How to Save Your Own Life, and Parachutes and Kisses.
Erica Durance is an actress best known for Smallville, Saving Hope, and The Butterfly Effect 2.
Erica Ash is an actress and comedian best known for Survivor's Remorse, The Real Husbands of Hollywood, and The After Party.
Erica Hill is a journalist and news anchor best known for her work on CNN, NBC News, and HLN.
Erica Cerra is an actress best known for Eureka, Battlestar Galactica, and The 4400.
Erica Tazel is an actress best known for Justified, The Good Wife, and The Blacklist.
Fictional characters named Erica
The following list of fictional characters named Erica 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.
Erica is a fictional character from the video game series Mass Effect. She is a member of the Systems Alliance and plays a significant role in the events surrounding the Reaper threat.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Erica, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Erica. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Erica was first seen in the United States in 1909.
Erica has ranked as high as #75 nationally, which occurred in 1986, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Erica has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Erica 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 Erica 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 Erica.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 156 | 0 | 156 |
| 2024 | 146 | 0 | 146 |
| 2023 | 191 | 0 | 191 |
| 2022 | 177 | 0 | 177 |
| 2021 | 201 | 0 | 201 |
| 2020 | 220 | 0 | 220 |
| 2019 | 245 | 0 | 245 |
| 2018 | 298 | 0 | 298 |
| 2017 | 326 | 0 | 326 |
| 2016 | 355 | 0 | 355 |
| 2015 | 417 | 0 | 417 |
| 2014 | 437 | 0 | 437 |
| 2013 | 526 | 0 | 526 |
| 2012 | 612 | 0 | 612 |
| 2011 | 624 | 0 | 624 |
| 2010 | 745 | 0 | 745 |
| 2009 | 943 | 0 | 943 |
| 2008 | 1,133 | 0 | 1,133 |
| 2007 | 1,366 | 0 | 1,366 |
| 2006 | 1,553 | 0 | 1,553 |
| 2005 | 1,723 | 6 | 1,717 |
| 2004 | 1,885 | 11 | 1,874 |
| 2003 | 2,097 | 5 | 2,092 |
| 2002 | 2,305 | 0 | 2,305 |
| 2001 | 2,676 | 8 | 2,668 |
| 2000 | 3,220 | 0 | 3,220 |
| 1999 | 3,170 | 9 | 3,161 |
| 1998 | 3,624 | 0 | 3,624 |
| 1997 | 3,998 | 6 | 3,992 |
| 1996 | 4,473 | 13 | 4,460 |
| 1995 | 4,913 | 20 | 4,893 |
| 1994 | 5,700 | 20 | 5,680 |
| 1993 | 6,425 | 14 | 6,411 |
| 1992 | 7,152 | 19 | 7,133 |
| 1991 | 7,840 | 40 | 7,800 |
| 1990 | 8,655 | 47 | 8,608 |
| 1989 | 9,093 | 68 | 9,025 |
| 1988 | 9,645 | 54 | 9,591 |
| 1987 | 9,379 | 51 | 9,328 |
| 1986 | 10,032 | 59 | 9,973 |
| 1985 | 9,586 | 61 | 9,525 |
| 1984 | 9,333 | 55 | 9,278 |
| 1983 | 9,767 | 54 | 9,713 |
| 1982 | 9,390 | 50 | 9,340 |
| 1981 | 8,661 | 35 | 8,626 |
| 1980 | 8,796 | 36 | 8,760 |
| 1979 | 8,216 | 38 | 8,178 |
| 1978 | 7,377 | 37 | 7,340 |
| 1977 | 6,654 | 30 | 6,624 |
| 1976 | 5,261 | 25 | 5,236 |
| 1975 | 4,612 | 31 | 4,581 |
| 1974 | 4,146 | 25 | 4,121 |
| 1973 | 3,817 | 24 | 3,793 |
| 1972 | 3,468 | 25 | 3,443 |
| 1971 | 3,511 | 21 | 3,490 |
| 1970 | 2,802 | 13 | 2,789 |
| 1969 | 1,514 | 9 | 1,505 |
| 1968 | 961 | 5 | 956 |
| 1967 | 681 | 0 | 681 |
| 1966 | 575 | 0 | 575 |
| 1965 | 566 | 0 | 566 |
| 1964 | 541 | 0 | 541 |
| 1963 | 576 | 0 | 576 |
| 1962 | 448 | 0 | 448 |
| 1961 | 243 | 0 | 243 |
| 1960 | 234 | 0 | 234 |
| 1959 | 233 | 0 | 233 |
| 1958 | 206 | 0 | 206 |
| 1957 | 211 | 0 | 211 |
| 1956 | 182 | 0 | 182 |
| 1955 | 146 | 0 | 146 |
| 1954 | 142 | 0 | 142 |
| 1953 | 113 | 0 | 113 |
| 1952 | 94 | 0 | 94 |
| 1951 | 94 | 0 | 94 |
| 1950 | 116 | 0 | 116 |
| 1949 | 89 | 0 | 89 |
| 1948 | 99 | 0 | 99 |
| 1947 | 83 | 0 | 83 |
| 1946 | 67 | 0 | 67 |
| 1945 | 66 | 0 | 66 |
| 1944 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 1943 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1942 | 39 | 0 | 39 |
| 1941 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1940 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1939 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1938 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1937 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1935 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1934 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1933 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1932 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1931 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1929 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1928 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1927 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1926 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1925 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1924 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1919 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1917 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1916 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1915 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1909 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Erica (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 | 21 | |
| TX | 10 | |
| NC | 9 | |
| PA | 9 | |
| WA | 7 | |
| OH | 7 | |
| FL | 6 | |
| IL | 6 | |
| NY | 6 | |
| IN | 5 | |
| MI | 5 | |
| CO | 5 | |
| SC | 5 |