Where does “Eric” come from?
Eric comes from Middle English Eric, from Old English Eoric, from Old Norse Eiríkr, composed of Old Norse ei and Proto-Germanic rīkijaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂eyu- and h₃reǵ-.
Eric (English): A fine paid as compensation for violent crimes
Definitions
- A fine paid as compensation for violent crimes
Ancestry of “Eric”, step by step
Eric traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English Eric
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | Eric | — |
| 2 | Old English | Eoric | — |
| 3 | Old Norse | Eirríkr | — |
| 4 | Old Norse | ríkr | rich |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | rīkijaz | kingly, royal, noble; mighty, powerful; rich |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | rīks | king, ruler |
| 7 | Proto-Celtic | rīxs | king |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃rḗǵs | king, ruler |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃reǵ- | to straighten, to right oneself; right; just |
via Irish éiric
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Irish | éiric | — |