Eric
A boys’ name of Old Norse origin, meaning eternal ruler.
How Eric has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #137 |
| 2016 | #142 |
| 2017 | #143 |
| 2018 | #160 |
| 2019 | #176 |
| 2020 | #198 |
| 2021 | #213 |
| 2022 | #229 |
| 2023 | #227 |
| 2024 | #251 |
| 2025 | #273 |
Eric by the numbers
In 2025, 300 babies in England and Wales were named Eric. In the US, 2,757 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 23,574 babies in 1970, so it is a 1970s name that has since fallen a long way.
At its height, in 1970, about 1 in 81 American boys born that year was called Eric.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Eric. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Ericketernal ruler; a form of Erik or Eric1,433 in the US (2017)
- Eriketernal ruler; ever powerful895 in the US (2017)
- Erisdiscord; strife; Greek goddess126 in the US (2017)
- Edricwealthy ruler8 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elricelf ruler; noble and powerful28 in the US (2017)
- Ericheternal ruler24 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Eric
Names that are said the same way as Eric, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean eternity
Like Eric, each of these has eternity in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Cyrussun; royal name from ancient Persia729 in the US (2017)
- Kianancient or enduring263 in England and Wales (2025)
- Khalideternal; immortal; everlasting185 in England and Wales (2025)
- Keenansmall and ancient; form of Cian or Kienan233 in the US (2017)
- Emryimmortal; a Welsh form of Emrys210 in the US (2017)
- Kiaanancient or eternal; a form of Kian106 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean a king or ruler
Like Eric, each of these has a king or ruler in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Henryruler of the home2,295 in England and Wales (2025)
- Averyruler of the elves10,365 in the US (2017)
- Ryanlittle king; descendent of rian8,422 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
- Arthurbear; the legendary king3,211 in England and Wales (2025)
- Reaganlittle king3,211 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Eric
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