Erik Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Erik is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Erik?
Erik is spelled E-R-I-K. The name has 4 letters.
Erik at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Eric is commonly understood to mean “ever ruler” or “eternal ruler.”
- Origin
- The name Erik is commonly associated with Old Norse origins, notably from elements meaning “ever” and “ruler.”
- Pronunciation
- AIR-ik · 2 syllables
Erik Popularity in 2025
Rank#545
Recorded Births549
- Boys usage fell 69 places to #545 and recorded 96 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 Erik Mean?
Eric is commonly understood to mean “ever ruler” or “eternal ruler.”
Origin: The name Erik is commonly associated with Old Norse origins, notably from elements meaning “ever” and “ruler.”
How Do You Pronounce Erik?
PronunciationAIR-ik
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Erik?
- History
- Historically, the name Erik has been borne by various Scandinavian kings and figures, appearing in medieval sources related to Norse and Nordic history.
Erik Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2005 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 549 | #545 |
| 2024 | Boys | 645 | #476 |
| 2023 | Boys | 679 | #454 |
| 2022 | Boys | 716 | #432 |
| 2021 | Boys | 699 | #442 |
| 2020 | Boys | 708 | #422 |
| 2019 | Boys | 815 | #384 |
| 2018 | Boys | 855 | #376 |
| 2017 | Boys | 901 | #368 |
| 2016 | Boys | 948 | #355 |
| 2015 | Boys | 1,019 | #337 |
| 2014 | Boys | 1,037 | #329 |
| 2013 | Boys | 1,105 | #311 |
| 2012 | Boys | 1,223 | #289 |
| 2011 | Boys | 1,266 | #277 |
| 2010 | Boys | 1,337 | #256 |
| 2009 | Boys | 1,555 | #233 |
| 2008 | Girls | 7 | #13,832 |
| 2008 | Boys | 1,795 | #213 |
| 2007 | Girls | 6 | #15,491 |
| 2007 | Boys | 2,028 | #199 |
| 2006 | Boys | 2,131 | #189 |
| 2005 | Girls | 5 | #16,462 |
| 2005 | Boys | 2,228 | #183 |
When Was Erik 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.
1980 · Boys
4,918 recorded births
National rank #64
1979 · Boys
4,640 recorded births
National rank #66
1990 · Boys
3,956 recorded births
National rank #96
1981 · Boys
3,921 recorded births
National rank #76
Where Erik 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UT | #302 | 16 |
| ID | #302 | 8 |
| CO | #346 | 18 |
| NM | #360 | 5 |
| CA | #368 | 94 |
| MN | #373 | 15 |
| TX | #380 | 97 |
| SC | #385 | 13 |