How Many People Are Named Eric?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Eric

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 9,438 living people in the United States currently have the first name Eric. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 17,972 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #134 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~9,438CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)17,972Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#134U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1947 (346 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~9,438
Historical Births (SSA)
17,972
All-Time Rank
#134
Historical Peak
1947

Key Insights for Eric

Estimated Living Bearers
~9,438 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#134
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
1947
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
1% Male · 99% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~1,180 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Eric

Living Population Model
~9,438

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
17,972

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
13,636

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
52.9 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1947

Highest annual total: 346 registrations in 1947.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (+0%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Eric has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Eric (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1947 (~346 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201086086
201186086
201286086
201385085
201485085
201585085
201685085
201785085
201885085
201985085
202085085
202185085
202285085
202385085
202485085

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
98/100
1950s
91/100
1960s
62/100
1970s
32/100
1980s
13/100
1990s
5/100
2000s
25/100
2010s
25/100
2020s
12/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Eric is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (99% female births).

Male: 1% (~183 births)Female: 99% (~17,789 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Eric

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Eric in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Eric appeared 13,636 times, ranking #151 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
13,636 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#151
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Eric Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~1,180 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~1,18012.5%
Texas (TX)~8689.2%
Florida (FL)~6426.8%
New York (NY)~5766.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~3784%
Illinois (IL)~3683.9%
Ohio (OH)~3403.6%
Georgia (GA)~3113.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 9,438 people named Eric are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 52.9 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Eric: 52.9 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Eric

How many people in the U.S. are named Eric?

Approximately 9,438 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Eric. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 17,972 birth applications for Eric between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Eric?

Eric ranks #134 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Eric comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Eric most popular in America?

The name Eric reached its peak historical popularity in 1947, when 346 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Eric?

Eric has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Eric?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Eric is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (99% female births).

Where is the name Eric most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Eric resides in California, with approximately 1,180 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Eric in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Eric appeared 13,636 times in census returns, ranking #151 in official 2020 returns.

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