A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Erling since 1908
Babies named Erling per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2023, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Erling's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 330 |
| 1920s | 365 |
| 1930s | 227 |
| 1940s | 153 |
| 1950s | 89 |
| 1960s | 56 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 167 |
Meaning & origin
Erling is a Scandinavian name with ancient roots, literally meaning "descendant of an earl." In the United States, it was most popular around 1913 during the height of Scandinavian immigration and has since seen a revival in recent years. As of 2025 it ranks 4,249 with a 1 in 71,170 chance of being chosen. Its trajectory has been rising since 2018, reflecting a growing interest in Nordic heritage names. While never common, Erling's strongest historical use was in New Jersey, a state with significant Norwegian settlement. The name carries a strong, straightforward sound that fits modern tastes for short, distinctive names.
Erling derives from Old Norse "jarl" meaning "earl" or "nobleman". It originated as a byname or patronymic, referring to a descendant of an earl. Historically common in Norway and Denmark, the name saw modest use in the United States among Scandinavian immigrants in the early 20th century.
Where Erling is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Erl
Variants: Erlingr, Erlend
Sibling names for Erling
Names that share Erling's style, for a brother or sister.
