ENGLISH
REFERENCE

eric

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈɛɹɪk// er·ic Archaic

n. a common name for a man or a boy. It is a popular name in many English-speaking and European countries.

n. a masculine given name of Old Norse origin, meaning 'eternal ruler'. When used in a generic sense in historical legal contexts, it refers to a specific fine or ransom, though this usage is now obsolete.


SIMPLE

Eric is my brother's name.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher called on Eric to answer the question about the solar system.

COMPLEX

While the name Eric has roots in ancient Scandinavian royalty, it remains a staple of modern naming conventions across various cultures due to its simple pronunciation and strong historical associations.

Origin

From Middle English Eric, from Old English Eoric, from Old Norse Eirríkr, Eiríkr (from ei (“always, eternal”, see aye) + ríkr (“ruler”)), or from Proto-Germanic Aizarīkijaz (from aizō (“honor”) + rīkijaz (“ruler”)). Less likely from einn (“sole, alone”) + ríkr (“ruler”), from Proto-Germanic rīks (“king”, cognate to Latin rēx and Gaulish *rīx). The name was in use in Anglo-Saxon Britain, reinforced by Scandinavian settlers before the Norman Conquest. Compare Danish Erik, German Erich. Possible doublet of Euric.

Usage

As a proper name, it is always capitalised.

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