How Many People Are Named Eric?
Complete statistics for the name Eric: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Eric, derived from Old Norse, means 'eternal ruler'. It's a common name with 798,625 living bearers in the US, making up 1 in 413 Americans. Its popularity peaked in 1970.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 8 symbolizes leadership, authority, and material success.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 46All 891,919 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1970Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Eric Through the Generations
Eric has been a steady presence through the generations, with over 891,919 total births in the US alone. Today, there are 798,625 people named Eric, with an average age of 46. Most are aged 30-60, showing a balanced distribution across different life stages. The name's decline since its peak in 1970 reflects changing naming trends but remains a classic choice.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Eric's Old Norse roots
📄 About the Name Eric
How Many People Have the Name Eric?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 663 people in the United States currently share the name Eric. That works out to roughly 1 in every 499,924 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Eric a Common or Rare Name?
Eric is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Eric Mean?
Eric means "eternal ruler" and comes from Old Norse origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Eric in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Eric Most Popular?
The name Eric reached peak popularity in 1970, with 23,721 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Eric?
Approximately 663 people named Eric live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 663. That works out to roughly 1 in 499,924 Americans.
Is Eric a rare name?
Eric is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 499,924 Americans has this name.
What does the name Eric mean?
Eric means "eternal ruler" and comes from Old Norse origins.
Is Eric more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Eric are male and 1% are female.
When was Eric most popular?
Eric peaked in 1970 with 23,721 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.