Where does “Eric” come from?
Eric (Middle English) comes from Old English Eoric, from Old Norse Eirríkr, from Old Norse ríkr, from Proto-Germanic rīkijaz, from Proto-Germanic rīks, from Proto-Celtic rīxs, from Proto-Indo-European h₃rḗǵs, from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵ- — to straighten, to right oneself; right; just.
Ancestry of “Eric”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | Eoric | — |
| 2 | Old Norse | Eirríkr | — |
| 3 | Old Norse | ríkr | rich |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | rīkijaz | kingly, royal, noble; mighty, powerful; rich |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | rīks | king, ruler |
| 6 | Proto-Celtic | rīxs | king |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃rḗǵs | king, ruler |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃reǵ- | to straighten, to right oneself; right; just |