Eric
Boy name · 735 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Eric: 735 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 49 births in 1974.
A strong, classic choice with Norse roots, Eric derives from the Old Norse Eiríkr, combining ei, meaning "ever" or "always," with ríkr, "ruler," giving the sense of an "eternal ruler." Perhaps the most legendary bearer is Eric the Red, the Norse explorer who founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland. In the modern era, the name is shared by guitar legend Eric Clapton and the celebrated Scottish Olympic runner and missionary Eric Liddell, whose story inspired the film *Chariots of Fire*. The name also appears in place names like Eric, Colorado, though its strongest geographical link remains the island of Greenland, named by its discoverer. Popular Scandinavian variants include Erik and Eirik, while the feminine form Erica has also seen widespread use.
Boy 52 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 197449 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #33310 babies
- Total births
- 735since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 14%vs prior 5y