Eirik

A boy's name of Old Norse origin with 353 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's name#5963 in 2024Rising fast

Meaning & Origin

a male given name from Old Norse, feminine equivalent Eirika, equivalent to English Eric

Eirik is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, the Old Norse form of Eric, from the Old Norse Eiríkr, composed of ei (ever, always) and ríkr (ruler, power), meaning 'eternal ruler' or 'ever-powerful.'

Eirik is the original Old Norse spelling of Eric — the form used by the Norse explorers who shaped the medieval world. Eirik the Red (c. 950–1003 AD) founded the first European settlement in Greenland, and his son Leif Eriksson became the first European to reach North America, nearly 500 years before Columbus. As a name, Eirik carries the full weight of Norse exploration, courage, and the spirit of venturing into the unknown.

EtymologyShow more

Though Eirik dates back to 1963 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Old Norse classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.

With only 353 recorded births, Eirik has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.

At a Glance

353

Total births

Since 1963

2017

Peak

17 births

1963

First recorded

62 years of data

Compare Eirik with another name

Popularity Over Time

Eirik climbed 1165 spots in the last 20 years — from #7128 to #5963.

First appeared: 1963Peak: 2017 (17 births)Current: #5963

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Eirik
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	57	#7860	▼
2010s	100	#8540	▲
2000s	48	#10357	▲
1990s	25	#6722	▼
1980s	43	#6060	—
1970s	45	#4406	▲
1960s	35	#3437	—

The Story of Eirik

A Gen Alpha name

Peaking in 2017, Eirik is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Eirik are most likely born between 2007 and 2024.

How rare is Eirik?

Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Eirik — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1963, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 100 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.

Eirik by the numbers

Would fill 7 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(43 years, 1963–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Eirik
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	15	#5963	+10 (200.0%)
2023	5	#12744	-11 (-68.8%)
2022	16	#5691	+5 (45.5%)
2021	11	#7234	+1 (10.0%)
2020	10	#7670	+3 (42.9%)
2019	7	#10031	-1 (-12.5%)
2018	8	#9059	-9 (-52.9%)
2017	17	#5349	+4 (30.8%)
2016	13	#6453	0
2015	13	#6429	+6 (85.7%)
2014	7	#9936	-2 (-22.2%)
2013	9	#8301	+3 (50.0%)
2012	6	#11195	+1 (20.0%)
2011	5	#12829	-10 (-66.7%)
2010	15	#5818	+4 (36.4%)
2009	11	#7348	+6 (120.0%)
2008	5	#13099	0
2007	5	#12895	0
2006	5	#12577	-5 (-50.0%)
2004	10	#7128	+3 (42.9%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Eirik a boy's or girl's name?

Eirik is primarily a boy's name.

When was Eirik most popular?

Eirik reached its peak popularity in 2017 with 17 births that year. It is currently ranked #5963 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Eirik?

Eirik is currently ranked #5963 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 353 babies since 1963.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1963–2024