Erik
How to say it: EH-rik · /ˈɛrɪk/
Scandinavian form of Eric, from Old Norse 'Eirikr' meaning 'ever ruler', from 'ei' (ever) + 'rikr' (ruler).
Erik was the 148th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 549 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1980s, its births are down about 51% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #206 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #148 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 549 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,235 |
| Peak decade | 1980s |
| Change over 10 years | −51% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #206 |
| In France, 2025 | #539 among boys’ names, 20 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After peaking in the 1980s, Erik has grown rarer. It now sits far below its peak and is expected to slip further.
What goes with it
EH rik sounds strong with soft and crisp consonants together. Lars carries a similar feel and Viktor pairs alongside.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Erik is about 1 in 52.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish.
In France: #539 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #410. Ireland: #480.
Famous people named Erik
- Erik Axel Karlfeldt (1864–1931)Swedish poet
- Erik Satie (1866–1925)French composer and pianist
- Erik Lamela (born 1992)Argentine association football player
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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