Erickson is a name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse personal name Eiríkr. The name Eiríkr was composed of two elements: "ei," which means "always" or "eternal," and "ric," which means "power" or "mighty." Therefore, Erickson can be interpreted as meaning "always powerful" or "eternally mighty."
The name Erickson has a rich history that dates back to the Viking Age. One of the most notable figures with this name was Erik the Red, a Norwegian explorer who was exiled from his homeland in the 10th century and established the first permanent Norse settlement in Greenland. His son, Leif Erikson, is also famous for being one of the first Europeans to reach North America around the year 1000.
Over time, Erickson has evolved into a popular given name in various countries, particularly among Scandinavian populations and those with Scandinavian ancestry. Today, it continues to be chosen by parents who wish to honor their heritage or simply appreciate its strong, timeless meaning.
In some cases, Erickson may also be used as a surname, typically among families whose ancestors were named Erik or other variations of the name. However, its primary usage remains as a given name for boys.
In summary, Erickson is a Scandinavian male given name with a powerful and enduring meaning derived from Old Norse elements. Its rich history includes notable figures such as Erik the Red and Leif Erikson, who played significant roles in exploration and colonization during the Viking Age.
The name Erickson has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the annual birth statistics from 1959 to 2023.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Erickson was not commonly chosen for newborn boys, with only six births recorded in 1959. However, its popularity started to rise in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching a peak of eleven births in both 1971 and 1976.
The name's popularity continued to fluctuate throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It peaked again in 1987 with twenty-two births, but dropped significantly to fourteen births just five years later in 1994. Despite these fluctuations, Erickson maintained a steady presence among newborn boys during this period.
In the early 2000s, Erickson's popularity grew steadily, reaching an all-time high of fifty births in 2008. This trend continued into the following decade, with the name remaining popular throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. The most recent data from 2023 shows that Erickson was still a well-chosen name for newborn boys, with twenty-eight recorded births.
In total, between 1959 and 2023, there were 1,136 boys named Erickson born in the United States. This demonstrates that while Erickson may not have been one of the most popular names throughout history, it has remained a consistent and enduring choice for parents over several decades.