Eriq
A boy's name of Old Norse origin with 742 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name, variant of Eric.
Eriq is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, a creative variant spelling of Eric, from the Old Norse Eirikr, meaning 'eternal ruler' — from ei (ever, always) and rikr (ruler, king). The -q ending gives the ancient Norse name a highly distinctive visual character.
Eriq LaSalle, the actor best known for his role on ER, brought this distinctive spelling into wider cultural awareness. The name carries the same powerful Nordic meaning as Eric — eternal kingship — in a form that stands apart from every other spelling.
EtymologyShow more
Eriq is cataloged under the Old Norse naming tradition. Names from the Old Norse tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Eriq has been recorded as a boy's name since 1988, with 742 total births. Browse the Old Norse names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Eriq has 31+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1988.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11 | #11967 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 57 | #9159 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 261 | #4375 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 395 | #3106 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 18 | #5514 | — |
The Story of Eriq
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1995, Eriq is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Eriq are most likely born between 1988 and 2005.
How rare is Eriq?
With 742 total births on record, Eriq remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1988, peaked in the 1990s with 395 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Eriq by the numbers
- Would fill 15 school buses
- Meeting one Eriq per day would take 2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(31 years, 1988–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | #12918 |
| 2020 | 6 | #11016 |
| 2019 | 7 | #10059 |
| 2017 | 7 | #10013 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11095 |
| 2014 | 8 | #9031 |
| 2012 | 10 | #7723 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7146 |
| 2010 | 8 | #9045 |
| 2009 | 18 | #5159 |
| 2008 | 10 | #7870 |
| 2007 | 23 | #4277 |
| 2006 | 15 | #5605 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6348 |
| 2004 | 20 | #4308 |
| 2003 | 28 | #3308 |
| 2002 | 35 | #2709 |
| 2001 | 45 | #2259 |
| 2000 | 55 | #1902 |
| 1999 | 61 | #1713 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eriq a boy's or girl's name?
When was Eriq most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1988–2022