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Erika Girl

Popularity: #739 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AIR-ih-kah /ˈɛrɪkə/

Origin: German; Scandinavian; Japanese

Meaning: German: ruler; Scandinavian: eternal ruler; Japanese: blessed

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Erika has its roots in the Old Norse name Eiríkr, which is composed of the elements "ei" meaning "ever" or "always" and "ríkr" meaning "ruler" or "king." This name was brought into the English language through the influence of Scandinavian settlers and the Viking Age, which began around the late 8th century. The name evolved in various forms across different cultures, including the Germanic variants, and eventually made its way into modern usage as Erika, particularly in German-speaking countries.

Historically, the name Erika has been associated with several notable figures. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name can be traced back to the 19th century, particularly in German literature and culture.

The name gained further prominence through its use in various literary works and its adoption by notable individuals, including royalty and artists. The name's association with strength and leadership, stemming from its etymological roots, has contributed to its enduring appeal.

Culturally, Erika has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing nobility and resilience. In Scandinavian folklore, names derived from Eiríkr were often linked to legendary kings and heroes, reinforcing the name's regal connotations.

Additionally, the name has been used in various forms of art and literature, further embedding it in cultural consciousness. The diminutive form "Erika" has also been affectionately used in various contexts, although the name itself stands strong in its own right, reflecting a blend of historical significance and cultural resonance.

Famous people named Erika

Erika Jayne is a singer and television personality best known for her music career and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Erika Christensen is an actress best known for Swimfan, Traffic, and Parenthood.

Erika Eleniak is an actress best known for Baywatch, Under Siege, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Erika Slezak is an actress best known for One Life to Live and her numerous Daytime Emmy Awards.

Erika Badu is a singer-songwriter best known for Baduizm, Mama's Gun, and her influence on neo-soul music.

Fictional characters named Erika

Erika is a fictional character from the video game series Pokémon. She is a Gym Leader known for her expertise in Psychic-type Pokémon.

Sibling suggestions

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U.S. Historical Usage

The name Erika was first seen in the United States in 1908.

Erika has ranked as high as #149 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Florida.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Erika (2024)

State Births Share
TX 33
23%
CA 30
21%
FL 14
10%
IL 10
7%
WA 8
6%
KY 7
5%
MD 7
5%
NY 7
5%
CO 7
5%
NC 6
4%
TN 6
4%
AL 5
3%
NV 5
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19085
19125
19145
19158
191610
19175
19186
19228
192312
192414
19259
192615
192717
192818
192930
193016
193117
193215
193315
193421
193514
193615
193714
193826
193918
194042
194133
194225
194333
194429
194522
194631
194746
194854
194964
195034
195146
195279
195363
195470
195568
1956102
1957125
1958132
1959171
1960176
1961197
1962257
1963304
1964356
1965419
1966491
1967815
1968956
19691,351
19701,941
19712,199
19722,183
19732,157
19742,265
19752,256
19762,341
19772,825
19782,826
19793,318
19803,517
19813,398
19823,596
19833,548
19843,542
19853,504
19863,678
19873,994
19883,886
19894,190
19904,569
19914,309
19924,341
19934,010
19943,584
19953,288
19963,078
19972,898
19982,672
19992,324
20002,734
20012,230
20021,960
20031,818
20041,772
20051,617
20061,431
20071,279
20081,017
2009862
2010728
2011548
2012556
2013460
2014421
2015391
2016383
2017366
2018299
2019294
2020248
2021224
2022189
2023238
2024211