Eric is a male given name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse name Eiríkr. The name is composed of two elements: 'ei' meaning 'always', and 'ríkr' meaning 'powerful'. Therefore, Eric translates to "eternally powerful" or "forever powerful".
The name Eric first appeared in historical records during the Viking Age, with notable bearers including Eric the Red (Eiríkr Rauðæsson), a Norse explorer who discovered Greenland around 982 AD. His son, Leif Erikson, is believed to have been the first European to reach North America around the year 1000.
Over time, the name Eric has become popular in various cultures and countries beyond its Scandinavian roots. Today, it ranks among the top male names worldwide, including in countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, France, Belgium, Canada, and the United States.
Throughout history, numerous notable individuals have borne the name Eric, contributing to its enduring popularity. Some well-known figures include:
* Eric XIV of Sweden (1533-1577), king of Sweden from 1560 until his deposition in 1568
* Eric IX of Denmark (1216-1250), king of Denmark from 1249 until his death
* Eric the Victorious (Eiríkr inn sigrsæli, c. 945-c. 995), a Norwegian chieftain and Viking leader who ruled over parts of Norway during the late 10th century
In literature and arts, Eric has been used as a character name in several works, such as:
* "Eric, or Little by Little" (1858), an novel for children by Neil Douglas
* "The Story of Eric Brighteyes" (1911), a historical adventure novel by H. Rider Haggard set during the Viking Age
* "Eric the Red" (1947), a ballet composed by Khachaturian with libretto written by V. Alexeyev
Overall, the name Eric carries a rich history and cultural significance, having been popularized by notable historical figures and prominent characters in literature and arts throughout centuries.
The name Eric gained significant popularity over time, with a total of 886,209 births recorded from 1880 to 2023. Initially, there were fewer than 20 births per year in the late 19th century. However, starting around 1947, there was a substantial increase, with over 2,000 births annually. The name reached its peak popularity between 1957 and 1963, during which there were more than 14,000 births each year. Since the late 1980s, the number of yearly Eric births has steadily decreased, reaching fewer than 2,000 in recent years.