Eirikr

Eirikr is the Old Norse form of the given name Eric (also rendered Erik). It derives from ei- “ever, always” and rikr “ruler, king,” and is commonly interpreted as meaning “eternal ruler” or “ever-powerful ruler.” In scholarly works the form Eirikr is used to represent the historical period’s pronunciation and spelling.

Usage in medieval Norse societies was widespread across Norway, Iceland, and parts of Denmark. The name appears in sagas and chronicles in the spelling Eiríkr (Old Norse). In modern usage, the name survives chiefly in linguistic discussions; everyday forms in Scandinavian languages include Erik (Norwegian/Danish) and Eirik (Icelandic). The English form is Eric.

Notable bearers include Eiríkr Blóðøx (Eric Bloodaxe), a 10th-century king of Norway and Northumbria. The Icelandic tradition also includes Eiríkur hinn rauði (Eric the Red), the Norse explorer associated with Greenland.

In contemporary contexts, Eirikr is primarily encountered as a historical or linguistic form. For most speakers, the direct equivalents are Eric in English or Erik/Eirik in Scandinavian languages, with Eiríkur as the modern Icelandic variant.