name
Common
eric
EH-rihk
Eric (name) means a male given name of Germanic and Old Norse origin, traditionally meaning something like "ever-ruler" or "sole ruler.". Example: “Eric moved to Oslo last year for work.”
name
1
A male given name of Germanic and Old Norse origin, traditionally meaning something like "ever-ruler" or "sole ruler."
"Eric moved to Oslo last year for work."
How to use eric
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common Scandinavian-derived first name for men.
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Word forms
- Plural
- erics
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Can you complete this real example?
_____ moved to Oslo last year for work.
Etymology
From Old Norse Eiríkr, from ei- ("ever, always") plus ríkr ("ruler, powerful").
Related words
Rhymes for eric
See all rhymes for eric →Frequently asked questions
What does “eric” mean?
The word “eric” means a male given name of Germanic and Old Norse origin, traditionally meaning something like "ever-ruler" or "sole ruler.". In plain terms, a common Scandinavian-derived first name for men.
How do you pronounce “eric”?
“Eric” is pronounced EH-rihk (/ˈɛɹɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “eric” in a sentence?
Here is “eric” used in a sentence: “Eric moved to Oslo last year for work.”
What part of speech is “eric”?
“Eric” is a name.
Where does the word “eric” come from?
The word “eric” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse Eiríkr, from ei- ("ever, always") plus ríkr ("ruler, powerful").
Is “eric” a common word?
“Eric” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does the name Eric mean?
Eric traditionally means "ever-ruler" or "sole ruler," from Old Norse roots often read as "ever" or "alone" plus "ruler" or "king." The sense is of a powerful, complete or eternal leader, which helped make it a favourite name for Scandinavian kings.
Where does the name Eric come from?
Eric comes from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, carried into English and much of Europe by Scandinavian settlers. It has long been a royal name in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and the legendary Viking explorer Erik the Red helped cement its historical fame.
Is Eric a boy's or girl's name?
Eric is traditionally a male given name. The usual feminine form is Erica or Erika, which shares the same roots and meaning. Both remain in common use across English-speaking and Scandinavian countries today.
What are the different spellings of Eric?
Common variants include Erik, the Scandinavian spelling, along with Erick and the German Erich. The feminine forms are Erica and Erika. All trace back to the same Old Norse name and carry the same "ever-ruler" meaning.
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