Erikson

Erikson is a surname of Scandinavian origin, meaning "son of Erik." It is a variant of Ericsson with spelling differences that reflect regional traditions in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The name is common in the Nordic countries and among descendants of Nordic emigrants in North America, where the spelling Erikson is often used in English-speaking contexts. Notable individuals with the surname include Erik Homburger Erikson (1902–1994), a German-born American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst. He is best known for his theory of psychosocial development, which outlines eight stages from infancy to late adulthood, each featuring a central conflict. His work emphasized lifelong development and the formation of identity, with the notion of an identity crisis becoming widely known. See also Ericsson, Eriksen, Eriksson as variant spellings.