Eric
Meaning of Eric
Eric is a male name of Old Norse origin meaning "eternal ruler". A popular choice among parents, it has been consistently used for boys since the late 19th century. In English, Eric is pronounced as EH-rik or AIR-ik. The alternative spelling of Eric is Erik.
Throughout history, the name Eric has remained a favorite across different generations. In the United States, its popularity soared in the mid to late 20th century when it was often ranked within the top 30 baby names. Since then, it has gradually declined but remains fairly common today.
In 2020 and 2021, there were over 1,500 newborns named Eric, ranking it at positions 198 and 213 respectively. This reflects that while its usage has decreased slightly compared to previous decades where it achieved higher ranks (e.g., number 16 in 1980), Eric continues to be a cherished choice for many parents nationwide.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as AIR-ik (/ˈerɪk/)
British English
- Pronunced as EH-rik (/ˈɛrɪk/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Eric
| Eric Patrick Clapton is an influential English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, ranked as one of the greatest guitarists in rock music. |
| Eric Michael Garcetti is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 42nd mayor of Los Angeles and is currently the United States ambassador to India. |
| Eric Emerson Schmidt is an American businessman and former CEO of Google, known for his significant contributions to the tech industry. |
| Eric Richard Kandel is an Austrian-born American medical doctor, neuroscientist, and Nobel Prize recipient known for his research on the physiological basis of memory storage in neurons. |
| Eric Frederick Trump is an American businessman, activist, and former reality television presenter, known as the third child and second son of Donald Trump and Ivana Trump. |
| Eric Mun is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and actor, known for his leadership in the boy band Shinhwa and his roles in popular dramas such as Phoenix, Super Rookie, and Another Oh Hae-young. |
| Eric Nam is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality based in South Korea, known for his numerous accolades and achievements in the entertainment industry. |
| Eric Chu - Eric Li-luan Chu is the current chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) and a prominent Taiwanese politician. |
| Eric Metaxas is an American author, speaker, and conservative radio host known for his biographies and other writings. |
| Eric Hoffer was an American moral and social philosopher, author of ten books, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with his work being widely acclaimed and honored through literary prizes and awards. |
| Eric Scott Hinske is a former MLB player and current assistant hitting coach for the New York Mets, known for his versatility and winning the 2002 AL Rookie of the Year Award. |
| Eric Carle was a renowned American author, designer, and illustrator of children's books, best known for his internationally acclaimed picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. |
| Eric Liang Feigl-Ding is an American public health scientist, epidemiologist, and Chief of COVID Task Force at the New England Complex Systems Institute, known for his research on obesity, nutrition, cancer prevention, and biosecurity. |
| Eric Adam Avery is an American musician known for his role as the founding bass guitarist of Jane's Addiction and as a touring and recording bassist for Garbage. |
| Eric William Kaler is a chemical engineer, professor, and university administrator who became the president of Case Western Reserve University in 2021. |
