Declining since 1991, #1,109 for girls today.
Popularity of Erika since 1908
Babies named Erika per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 39 |
| 1920s | 123 |
| 1930s | 171 |
| 1940s | 379 |
| 1950s | 890 |
| 1960s | 5,323 |
| 1970s | 24,310 |
| 1980s | 36,852 |
| 1990s | 35,076 |
| 2000s | 16,722 |
| 2010s | 4,448 |
| 2020s | 1,326 |
Meaning & origin
Erika, the feminine form of Eric, has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States since it first appeared on record in 1908. The name reached its highest rank, peaking in 1990, and has since been on a gradual decline. As of 2025, it ranks 1109 with a frequency of about 1 in 7,546 girls. The name's strongest popularity in recent decades has been in Utah, Washington, and North Carolina. Erika has a sturdy, international feel, balancing Scandinavian roots with widespread English usage. While its peak year in 1990 placed it among the top 200 names, it has receded steadily since 1991, becoming a less common but still familiar choice.
Erika is the feminine form of Eric, from Old Norse Eiríkr, derived from ei 'ever, always' and ríkr 'ruler, mighty'. The name was used in Scandinavia as a female given name by the 18th century and spread to Germany and English-speaking countries in the 19th century. It gained particular popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century.
Where Erika is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Erika” around the world
Where Erika lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eri, Rika, Rickie
Sibling names for Erika
Names that share Erika's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Erika
Names whose popularity has moved with Erika's over the last 50 years.
