How to say it
ER · ic
ˈɛr.ɪk
Masculine
Eric
Ever-ruler
What it means
From the Old Norse Eiríkr, ei ('ever, always') plus ríkr ('ruler'), so 'eternal ruler' or 'sole ruler.'
Eric comes from the Old Norse Eiríkr, 'ever-ruler.' Erik the Red founded Norse Greenland and his son Leif Erikson reached North America around the year 1000, which makes it a name with real Viking pedigree. It has been a Scandinavian royal staple for centuries and was a fixture of American birth certificates from the 1950s through the 1980s. Eric and Erik are the same name; Rick sometimes serves as a short.
How to spell Eric
The standard spelling is Eric. Common variants include Erik, Erick, Eirik, but Eric is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #13 in 1973, currently #273 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Eric, Erik, and Erick are interchangeable; Erik points a little harder at the Scandinavian root.
- Pop culture
From Erik the Red and Leif Erikson to Eric Clapton and The Little Mermaid's Prince Eric.
Who's worn it
- Erik the Red Norse explorer who founded a settlement in Greenland
- Eric Clapton English rock and blues guitarist
Spelling variants
- Erik
- Erick
- Eirik
Names with the same feeling
See Eric from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Eric mean?
- From the Old Norse Eiríkr, ei ('ever, always') plus ríkr ('ruler'), so 'eternal ruler' or 'sole ruler.'
- What does Eric mean in Old Norse?
- In Old Norse, Eric means "Ever-ruler." Eric comes from the Old Norse Eiríkr, 'ever-ruler.' Erik the Red founded Norse Greenland and his son Leif Erikson reached North America around the year 1000, which makes it a name with real Viking pedigree. It has been a Scandinavian royal staple for centuries and was a fixture of American birth certificates from the 1950s through the 1980s. Eric and Erik are the same name; Rick sometimes serves as a short.
- How do you pronounce Eric?
- Eric is pronounced ˈɛr.ɪk. Say it as ER-ic, with the stress on the "er" syllable.
- How do you spell Eric?
- The standard spelling is Eric. Common spelling variants include Erik, Erick, Eirik.
- Is Eric a boy or girl name?
- Eric is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Eric?
- Eric ranked #273 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.