Eric
The given name
Eric, or
Erik, is derived from the Old Norse name
Eiríkr. The first element,
ei- is derived either from the older Proto-Norse *
aina meaning "one" or "alone" or from Proto-Norse *
aiwa meaning "ever" or "eternal". The second element
-ríkr derives either from *
ríkz meaning "ruler" or "prince" or from an even older Proto-Germanic *
ríkiaz which meant "powerful" and "rich". The name is thus usually taken to mean "one ruler", "autocrat", "eternal ruler" or "ever powerful," and "government". The most common spelling in Scandinavia is Erik. In Norway, another form of the name
Eirik is also commonly used. In Finland, the form
Erkki is also used. The modern Icelandic version is Eiríkur, while the modern Faroese version is Eirikur.
Éric is used in French, and in Germany
Eric,
Erik and
Erich are used. Although the name was in use in Anglo-Saxon England
, its use was reinforced by Scandinavian settlers arriving before the Norman Invasion.