Erica is a female name of Greek origin that means "ruler" or "leader". It is derived from the Greek word "erikoi", which refers to the ancient city of Heraklion in Crete, where the heather plant was believed to have originated.
The name Erica first appeared in English literature during the 16th century, but it did not become popular as a given name until the late 19th century. It gained popularity in the United States and other English-speaking countries during the early 20th century, reaching its peak popularity in the 1970s.
Erica has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. For example, Erica Jong is an American novelist and feminist who gained fame for her controversial novel "Fear of Flying". Erica Moore is a British actress known for her role as Tia Carter in the soap opera "Hollyoaks".
In literature and popular culture, Erica has been used as a character name in several works. In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Erica Hogwarts is a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the television show "Friends", Erica is the name of Joey's ex-girlfriend who becomes pregnant with his child.
Overall, Erica is a strong and distinctive female name that carries a powerful meaning and has been associated with many accomplished individuals throughout history. Its Greek origin and unique spelling make it a popular choice for parents looking for a name that is both meaningful and memorable.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Erica in the United States from 1968 to 2005. The data indicates a trend of popularity for the name during certain periods, followed by a decrease in usage.
In the early years (1968-1973), the name Erica was given to between five and twenty-five babies each year, with a steady increase over time. However, starting from 1975, there was a significant rise in popularity, with more than thirty babies named Erica every year until 1982.
The peak of popularity for the name Erica occurred in 1982 and 1983, with fifty births each year. This high level of popularity persisted until 1985, with an average of sixty births per year during this period. However, starting from 1986, there was a gradual decrease in the number of babies named Erica.
By the mid-1990s, fewer than twenty-five babies were being named Erica each year. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with only single-digit numbers of births registered for the name Erica from 1997 to 2005.
In total, over the thirty-eight years from 1968 to 2005, there were 1,024 babies born in the United States who were named Erica. This data shows how the popularity of a name can vary over time and demonstrates that the name Erica was particularly popular during the mid-to-late 1970s and early 1980s.