Eric
From Middle English Eric, from Old English Eoric, from Old Norse Eirríkr, Eiríkr (from ei (“always, eternal”, see aye) + ríkr (“ruler”)), or from Proto-Germanic…
Every Eric since 1880 — 893,184 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Eric
Eric is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #273 in 2025 with 1,256 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 893,184 American babies have been named Eric. Its peak came in 1970, when 23,719 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Eric stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Eric year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 1,256 | #273 |
| 2024 | — | — | 1,406 | #252 |
| 2023 | — | — | 1,547 | #227 |
| 2022 | — | — | 1,561 | #229 |
| 2021 | — | — | 1,790 | #213 |
| 2020 | — | — | 1,917 | #198 |
| 2019 | — | — | 2,205 | #176 |
| 2018 | — | — | 2,410 | #160 |
| 2017 | — | — | 2,782 | #143 |
| 2016 | 5 | #17,060 | 2,930 | #142 |
| 2015 | 5 | #17,272 | 3,046 | #138 |
| 2014 | 5 | #17,357 | 3,323 | #122 |
| 2013 | 10 | #10,502 | 3,265 | #118 |
| 2012 | — | — | 3,637 | #107 |
| 2011 | — | — | 3,751 | #104 |
| 2010 | 7 | #13,925 | 4,201 | #95 |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,153 | 4,646 | #95 |
| 2008 | 8 | #12,971 | 5,377 | #86 |
| 2007 | 10 | #11,085 | 5,959 | #83 |
| 2006 | 11 | #10,123 | 6,232 | #77 |
| 2005 | 12 | #9,064 | 6,697 | #66 |
| 2004 | 29 | #4,638 | 7,133 | #61 |
| 2003 | 16 | #6,984 | 7,787 | #56 |
| 2002 | 17 | #6,485 | 7,928 | #52 |
| 2001 | 13 | #7,874 | 8,559 | #44 |
| 2000 | 26 | #4,566 | 9,162 | #42 |
| 1995 | 38 | #3,040 | 12,485 | #32 |
| 1990 | 79 | #1,817 | 19,430 | #24 |
| 1985 | 163 | #953 | 20,844 | #21 |
| 1980 | 153 | #967 | 22,611 | #16 |
| 1975 | 124 | #991 | 19,793 | #13 |
| 1970 | 148 | #893 | 23,571 | #18 |
| 1965 | 68 | #1,328 | 16,826 | #25 |
| 1960 | 26 | #2,326 | 10,539 | #44 |
| 1955 | 7 | #4,869 | 4,660 | #85 |
| 1950 | 9 | #3,763 | 3,095 | #98 |
| 1945 | — | — | 1,351 | #153 |
| 1940 | — | — | 482 | #249 |
| 1935 | — | — | 288 | #321 |
| 1930 | — | — | 206 | #408 |
| 1925 | — | — | 211 | #411 |
| 1920 | — | — | 186 | #445 |
| 1915 | — | — | 155 | #437 |
| 1910 | — | — | 41 | #424 |
| 1905 | — | — | 23 | #467 |
| 1900 | — | — | 21 | #520 |
| 1895 | — | — | 20 | #442 |
| 1890 | — | — | 13 | #545 |
| 1885 | — | — | 16 | #467 |
| 1880 | — | — | 10 | #614 |
Famous people named Eric
- Eric Clapton Musician · b. 1945
- Eric of Pomerania Pirate · 1381–1459
- Eric Bloodaxe Politician · 885–954
- Eric Hobsbawm Historian · 1917–2012
- Eric XIV of Sweden Politician · 1533–1577
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Eric mean?
From Middle English Eric, from Old English Eoric, from Old Norse Eirríkr, Eiríkr (from ei (“always, eternal”, see aye) + ríkr (“ruler”)), or from Proto-Germanic *Aizarīkijaz (from *aizō (“honor”) + *rīkijaz (“ruler”)).
How popular is the name Eric in 2025?
Eric ranked #273 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,256 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Eric?
893,184 babies have been named Eric in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Eric most popular?
Eric peaked in 1970, when 23,719 newborns received the name.
Is Eric a boy or girl name?
Eric is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Eric rising or falling?
Eric is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Eric?
Well-known people named Eric include Eric Clapton (musician), Eric of Pomerania (pirate), Eric Bloodaxe (politician).