Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Eric
BoyOld Norse, Scandinavian· “ever ruler”
- Meaning
- ever ruler
- Origin
- Old Norse, Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- EHR-ik
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #273
- US babies 2025
- 1,256
- Best rank
- #13 (1973)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Eric
Eric is an Old Norse and Scandinavian name that means “ever ruler”.
Eric comes from the Old Norse Eirikr, usually explained as ever ruler or sole ruler, from elements meaning always or one and ruler. It was borne by many kings of Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and Erik the Red, a Norse explorer, founded the first settlements in Greenland. The name came to England with the Danes and was later revived in the nineteenth century. In the United States it became a familiar classic in the twentieth century. Eric is short, strong and easy to spell, with Erik as the Scandinavian spelling.
Popularity over time
Eric has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #13 in 1973, and the most babies received it in 1970, when 23,571 were named Eric. In 2025, 1,256 babies were named Eric, and it ranked #273 nationally. That is 59% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #445 in 1920, #98 in 1950, #16 in 1980, #42 in 2000, #95 in 2010, and #273 in 2025. Of the 888,891 US boys named Eric since records began, 24% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 204,230 babies. Since 2010, 41,027 more have been named Eric.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Scott, Shawn, and Troy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Eric ranked highest in District of Columbia, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #183 | 5 |
| Mississippi | #191 | 16 |
| Louisiana | #200 | 26 |
| Washington | #202 | 41 |
| California | #212 | 177 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Eric is usually pronounced EHR-ik, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with E and ends in “-ic”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Erik, Erick, and Erich.
Middle names for Eric
A few middle names that flow with Eric: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Eric
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Lists that include Eric
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Eric mean?
Eric is an Old Norse and Scandinavian name that means “ever ruler”.
What is the origin of the name Eric?
Eric has Old Norse and Scandinavian roots. Eric comes from the Old Norse Eirikr, usually explained as ever ruler or sole ruler, from elements meaning always or one and ruler.
Is Eric a popular name?
Yes. Eric ranked #273 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Eric a boy or girl name?
Eric is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Eric?
Eric is usually pronounced EHR-ik. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings