Erling, of Norse origin, is a name that evokes strength and nobility. It is derived from the Old Norse words 'erill' meaning 'warrior' and 'lingr' signifying 'protector'. This name was popular among ancient Scandinavian tribes and has been carried through history by notable figures such as Erling Skakke, a 12th-century Norwegian king. The name Erling is often associated with the Norse god Odin, who was considered both a warrior and protector of his people. Today, Erling remains a strong and distinctive name, carrying echoes of its noble past into the modern world.
The name Erling experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century. With a total of 1334 births recorded, it's clear that this name has been quite common at various periods. The years with the highest number of births were 1913 and 2023, both having 54 and 45 births respectively. However, there was also a decline in popularity during the late 1960s to early 1970s, with only 5 births recorded each year from 1964 to 1972. The name's popularity has shown signs of resurgence recently, with an increase in births from 2016 onwards.