Meaning & History
Erica is a feminine given name used in English, Italian, and Swedish. It is the feminine form of Eric, and it was first used in the 18th century. The name also coincides with the Latin word for "heather".
Etymology
The root name Eric comes from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, derived from elements meaning "ever" and "ruler", thus interpreting as "ever ruler" or "eternal ruler". The feminine form Erica emerged in the 18th century, possibly influenced by the Latin word erica (heather), a plant name from Greek ereíkē. This double origin gives the name both a strong, regal sense and a connection to nature.
History and Popularity
Like Eric, which was borne by several early Scandinavian kings and explorers such as Eric the Red, Erica gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the 19th century. The revival of Eric partly due to the novel Eric, or Little by Little (1858) also boosted Erica. In Sweden, the name Erica (often spelled Erika) has been well used. In Italy, it has been adopted as a feminine form of Eric.
Notable Bearers
Notable women named Erica include author Erica Jong, singer Erica Carter, and actress Erica Durance. The name's variant Erika is also common among public figures such as Swedish singer Erika Norberg and Japanese figure skater Erika Tokushima.
Variants and Related Names
Variants of Erica include Ericka and Erykah in English, and Erika in Swedish. Related masculine forms are Aric, Erick, and Erik. In other languages, there are Eerika (Finnish), Ērika (Latvian), Eryka (Polish), and Érica, Érika (Portuguese).
- Meaning: feminine form of Eric ("ever ruler"); also Latin for "heather"
- Origin: Old Norse via Eric; Latin word erica
- Type: feminine given name
- Usage regions: English, Italian, Swedish
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Erika (given name)