Erik
Say it: ERR-ik
BoyMeans usually explained as "ever ruler"4 letters2 syllables
#468
in Ireland (2025)
#453 with spellings combined
7
babies in 2025
#235
best rank (1988)
312
babies since 1971
Down 145
10-year rank change
Erik through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #453 |
| 2024 | 18 | #238 |
| 2023 | 10 | #351 |
| 2022 | 13 | #320 |
| 2021 | 13 | #315 |
| 2020 | 16 | #271 |
| 2019 | 7 | #446 |
| 2018 | 11 | #342 |
| 2017 | 17 | #272 |
| 2016 | 14 | #313 |
| 2015 | 14 | #308 |
| 2014 | 16 | #286 |
| 2013 | 21 | #252 |
| 2012 | 15 | #300 |
| 2011 | 18 | #272 |
| 2010 | 8 | #422 |
| 2009 | 7 | #429 |
| 2008 | 5 | #529 |
| 2007 | 9 | #342 |
| 2006 | 4 | #492 |
| 2005 | 3 | #518 |
| 2004 | 8 | #299 |
| 2003 | 4 | #423 |
| 2002 | 4 | #393 |
| 2001 | 5 | #317 |
| 1995 | 3 | #334 |
| 1992 | 3 | #337 |
| 1988 | 6 | #235 |
| 1986 | 5 | #256 |
| 1982 | 4 | #286 |
| 1981 | 4 | #292 |
| 1980 | 4 | #288 |
| 1979 | 3 | #324 |
| 1977 | 4 | #293 |
| 1973 | 3 | #320 |
| 1972 | 3 | #307 |
| 1971 | 3 | #304 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Erik mean?
Usually explained as "ever ruler"
Scandinavian spelling of Eric, from Old Norse Eiríkr.
Say it right
ERRik
The story of Erik
Erik is the Scandinavian way of writing Eric. Both go back to the Old Norse name Eiríkr, which is usually explained as a mix of words for “always” and “ruler”. It was a name of Viking-age kings in Norway and Sweden, and the spelling with a “k” is still the usual one in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
In Ireland it first reached the CSO list in 1971. It stayed small for decades, then became a little more common in the 2010s. Its busiest year was 2013, with 21 babies, and 7 boys were named Erik in 2025.
The CSO counts Erik and Eric as separate names. Eric has always been the more common spelling in Ireland.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Erik (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Eric
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Erik | 7 | 312 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #303 (2010); 31 babies since 2010.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.