The boy's name Eric \e-ric\ is pronounced AIR-ik. It is of Old Norse origin, and its meaning is "forever or alone, ruler". The original form is Erik, which has been borne by nine Danish kings. Scandinavian legend relates that the Viking sea rover Ericson (son of Eric the Red) landed on the shores of America 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The name was not widely used among English-speaking people until 19th-century British fiction writers Frederic Farrar (in "Eric", or "Little by Little") and H. Rider Haggard (in "Eric Brighteyes") used it in popular literature. Eriq is the French spelling; Erich is a popular German form. Author Erich Segal; musician Eric Clapton; skater Eric Heiden; actors Eriq La Salle, Eric McCormack.

ORIGIN
Old English

MEANING
Ever ruler

A form of Erik. In the 10th century, Viking explorer Eric the Red founded the first Nordic settlement in Greenland. Gained popularity when two 19th century British writers, Frederic Farrar and H. Rider Haggard, used the name in literature. On the rise in the U.S. since 1927. A royal name in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Actor Eriq La Salle uses a form of the name.

VARIATIONS
Erica

ALTERNATIVES
Erich Erik Erric Aric Erick Eirik Arrick Erek Eryk Aerick

NICKNAMES
Ric

FAMOUS Erics
Eric Bana (actor) Eric Stoltz (actor) Eric Lindros (hockey player) Eric Dickerson (Football Hall of Famer) Eric McCormack (actor) Eric Clapton (musician) Eric Heiden (Olympic medalist) Eric Chavez (baseball player) Eric Benet (singer/actor) Eric Roberts (actor)

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