Eric Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Eric is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Eric?
Eric is spelled E-R-I-C. The name has 4 letters.
Eric at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Eric is commonly understood to mean “eternal ruler” or “ever powerful,” deriving from Old Norse elements.
- Origin
- Eric is commonly associated with Old Norse origins, potentially derived from the elements “ei” meaning “ever” or “always,” and “ríkr” meaning “ruler” or…
- Pronunciation
- AIR-ik · 2 syllables
Eric Popularity in 2025
Rank#273
Recorded Births1,256
- Boys usage fell 21 places to #273 and recorded 150 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Eric Mean?
Eric is commonly understood to mean “eternal ruler” or “ever powerful,” deriving from Old Norse elements.
Origin: Eric is commonly associated with Old Norse origins, potentially derived from the elements “ei” meaning “ever” or “always,” and “ríkr” meaning “ruler” or “king.”
How Do You Pronounce Eric?
PronunciationAIR-ik
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Eric?
- History
- The name Eric has been documented in historical records and literature linked to Norse and Scandinavian cultures, appearing in various forms over centuries.
Eric Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2008 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 1,256 | #273 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,406 | #252 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,547 | #227 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,561 | #229 |
| 2021 | Boys | 1,790 | #213 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,917 | #198 |
| 2019 | Boys | 2,205 | #176 |
| 2018 | Boys | 2,410 | #160 |
| 2017 | Boys | 2,782 | #143 |
| 2016 | Girls | 5 | #16,215 |
| 2016 | Boys | 2,930 | #142 |
| 2015 | Girls | 5 | #16,419 |
| 2015 | Boys | 3,046 | #138 |
| 2014 | Girls | 5 | #16,513 |
| 2014 | Boys | 3,323 | #122 |
| 2013 | Girls | 10 | #10,235 |
| 2013 | Boys | 3,265 | #118 |
| 2012 | Boys | 3,637 | #107 |
| 2011 | Boys | 3,751 | #104 |
| 2010 | Girls | 7 | #13,448 |
| 2010 | Boys | 4,201 | #95 |
| 2009 | Girls | 7 | #13,704 |
| 2009 | Boys | 4,646 | #95 |
| 2008 | Girls | 8 | #12,579 |
When Was Eric Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1970 · Boys
23,571 recorded births
National rank #18
1971 · Boys
22,962 recorded births
National rank #18
1980 · Boys
22,611 recorded births
National rank #16
1972 · Boys
22,027 recorded births
National rank #16
Where Eric Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| DC | #168 | 5 |
| MS | #189 | 16 |
| LA | #198 | 26 |
| WA | #200 | 41 |
| CA | #211 | 177 |
| ID | #230 | 11 |
| NM | #236 | 8 |
| TX | #245 | 159 |