Eric is a typically masculine name that means “forever ruler” or “always ruler.” It's an Old Norse name derived from the Norse word “Eirikr” which means “sole ruler” or “ever powerful”. While the name Eric can be traced to Norse origins, several cultures and traditions also lay claim to the name.

When was the name Eric created?

Meaning & History

This common Norse name was first brought to England by Danish settlers during the Anglo-Saxon period. It was not popular in England in the Middle Ages, but it was revived in the 19th century, in part due to the children's novel Eric, or Little by Little (1858) by Frederic William Farrar.

Is Eric a white name?

Is Eric a white name? The race and Hispanic origin distribution of the people with the name ERIC is 77.7% White, 6.4% Hispanic origin, 11.0% Black, 2.8% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.4% Two or More Races, and 0.6% American Indian or Alaskan Native.