Eiríkr

Eiríkr is a masculine given name of Old Norse origin. In its historical form, it appears in Icelandic and other Norse sources as Eiríkr, and it is the source of the modern names Eric, Erik, and the Icelandic Eiríkur. The traditional etymology is usually given as a compound of elements meaning “ever” or “one” and “ruler” or “king,” yielding meanings such as “ever ruler” or “eternal ruler,” though the precise parsing is debated. The name has remained common in Iceland and in Scandinavian contexts, with various spellings over time.

In the Norse sagas and medieval records, Eiríkr is borne by several notable figures. Eiríkr Blóðøx, known in English as Eric Bloodaxe, was a 10th-century king of Norway who at times exercised influence in the British Isles. Eiríkr hinn rauði, or Eric the Red, was a Norse explorer credited with founding the Norse settlements in Greenland and with opening contact with Vinland in the broader Norse exploration narratives. These figures helped popularize the name across Norse-speaking lands and into later Scandinavian history and legend.

Today, the name persists in modern Scandinavian use. In Iceland, Norway, and Denmark it persists in its variants, such as Eiríkur in Icelandic and Erik or Eric in broader use. In English-speaking contexts the forms Eric or Erik are common; the name remains associated with Viking-era and medieval heritage in popular culture and historical writing.