Eric (English)

Where does "Eric" come from?

The name Eric has deep Germanic roots, emerging from ancient combinations like the Old Norse Eiríkr, which likely meant "eternal ruler" or "sole ruler." These elements eventually trace back to early Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European terms for "honor" or "ruler." After arriving in England via Scandinavian settlers, the name became established in the English language as a classic moniker denoting nobility and power.

Full etymology tree

Eric (English), 'A male given name from the Germanic languages.'
- inherited Eric (Middle English)
  - inherited Eoric (Old English), 'a male given name'
    - borrowed Eiríkr (Old Norse), 'a male given name'
      - compound *aiwa- (Proto-Norse)
        inherited *aiwaz (Proto-Germanic), 'long time, age, eternity'
        inherited *h₂óyu ~ *h₂yéws (Proto-Indo-European)
      - compound *aina- (Proto-Norse)
        inherited *ainaz (Proto-Germanic), 'one'
        inherited *h₁óynos (Proto-Indo-European), 'one'
      - compound -ríkr (Old Norse)
        inherited *rīkijaz (Proto-Germanic), 'kingly, royal, noble'
        derived *rīks (Proto-Germanic), 'king, ruler'
        borrowed *rīxs (Proto-Celtic), 'king'
        inherited *h₃rḗǵs (Proto-Indo-European), 'king, ruler'
- derived *Aizarīkijaz (Proto-Germanic)
  - compound *aizō (Proto-Germanic), 'fear; reverence'
    - inherited *h₂oys-éh₂ (Proto-Indo-European)
      - derived *h₂eys- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to wish'
  - compound *rīkijaz (Proto-Germanic), 'kingly, royal, noble'
    - derived *rīks (Proto-Germanic), 'king, ruler'
      - borrowed *rīxs (Proto-Celtic), 'king'
        inherited *h₃rḗǵs (Proto-Indo-European), 'king, ruler'

Direct ancestors

Updated July 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris