The given name Erika, Erica, Ericka, or Ereka is a feminine form of

Eric The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* a ...

, deriving from the

Old Norse Old Norse, Old Nordic, or Old Scandinavian, is a stage of development of North Germanic languages, North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and t ...

name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Eastern Scandinavia due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' is derived either from the older

Proto-Norse Proto-Norse (also called Ancient Nordic, Ancient Scandinavian, Ancient Norse, Primitive Norse, Proto-Nordic, Proto-Scandinavian and Proto-North Germanic) was an Indo-European language spoken in Scandinavia that is thought to have evolved as a ...

''*aina(z)'', meaning "one, alone, unique", as in the form ''Æinrikr'' explicitly, or from ''*aiwa(z)'' "long time, eternity". The second element ''-ríkr'' stems either from ''*ríks'' "king, ruler" (cf. Gothic ''reiks'') or from the therefrom derived ''*ríkijaz'' "kingly, powerful, rich". The name is thus usually taken to mean "sole ruler,

monarch A monarch is a head of stateWebster's II New College DictionarMonarch Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 2001. p. 707. Life tenure, for life or until abdication, and therefore the head of state of a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest authority ...

" or "eternal ruler, ever powerful". It is a common name in many Western societies. It is also a popular given name for women in Japan (even though its origin has nothing in common with the Nordic roots of the Western version). ''

Erica Erica or ERICA may refer to: * Erica (given name) * ''Erica'' (plant), a flowering plant genus * Erica (chatbot), a service of Bank of America * ''Erica'' (video game), a 2019 FMV video game * ''Erica'' (spider), a jumping spider genus * Eri ...

'' is also the name of a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family

Ericaceae The Ericaceae are a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the heath or heather family, found most commonly in acidic and infertile growing conditions. The family is large, with c.4250 known species spread across 124 genera, making it th ...

, commonly known as "heaths" or "heathers" in English, and is the Latin word for "heather".

People with the name

* Érika Alcocer Luna (born 1974), Mexican singer, winner of the second generation of ''La Academia'' *

Erika Alexander Erika Rose Alexander (born November 19, 1969) is an American actress, writer, producer, entrepreneur and activist best known for her roles as Pam Tucker on the NBC sitcom '' The Cosby Show'' (1990–1992), and Maxine Shaw on the FOX sitcom ''Liv ...

(born 1969), American actress *

Erica Alfridi Erica Alfridi (born 22 February 1968) is a former Italian race walker, who has won an individual senior level World Race Walking Cup. Biography Erica Alfridi won three medals, at individual level, at the International athletics competitions. Sh ...

(born 1968), Italian race walker * Erika Andersen, American writer *

Erika Anderson Erika Marie Anderson is an American film and television actress best known for her role as Greta in '' A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child'' (1989) and subsequently the actress Selena Swift in the television series ''Twin Peaks'' (199 ...

, American actress * Erika Araki (born 1984), Japanese national volleyball team captain *

Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known professionally as Erykah Badu (), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Influenced by R&B, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut al ...

(born 1971), American singer-songwriter, record producer, activist, and actress *

Erica Banks Erica Banks is an American rapper born and raised in DeSoto, Texas. Following the release of her first three mixtapes, she signed to 1501 Certified Entertainment, who released her self-titled mixtape in June 2020. It spawned her first charting ...

, American rapper * Erica Bartolina (born 1980), American pole vaulter * Erika Billeter (1927–2011), German-born Swiss curator, art historian, writer, and museum director * Erica Blasberg (1984–2010), American professional golfer * Erica Bougard (born 1993), American heptathlete * Erika Buenfil (born 1963), Mexican actress * Erika von Brockdorff (1911–1943), German resistance fighter during the Second World War * Erica Campbell, (born 1972), American singer most famous from Mary Mary *

Erika Christensen Erika Jane Christensen (born August 19, 1982) is an American actress and singer whose filmography includes roles in ''Traffic'' (2000), ''Swimfan'' (2002), ''The Banger Sisters'' (2002), ''The Perfect Score'' (2004), ''Flightplan'' (2005), '' H ...

(born 1982), American actress * Érika Coimbra (born 1980), Brazilian volleyball player * Erica Cornejo, Argentine ballet dancer *

Erika Cosby Erika Ranee Cosby (born April 8, 1965) is an American painter. She is the daughter of philanthropist Camille Cosby and comedian Bill Cosby. Early life and education Erika Ranee Cosby was born on April 8, 1965 in Los Angeles, California, the oldes ...

, American painter and daughter of Bill Cosby *

Erika Costell Erika Michaelanne Costell (born November 12, 1992) is an American Internet personality. Costell’s career began when she became associated with Team 10, an influencer marketing management agency. After dating YouTuber Jake Paul and featuring ...

(born 1993), American YouTuber, model, and singer *

Erika Cremer Erika Cremer (20 May 1900, Munich – 21 September 1996, Innsbruck) was a German physical chemist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Innsbruck who is regarded as one of the most important pioneers in gas chromatography, as she secon ...

(1900–1996), German physicist * Erika Doss (fl. 1980s–2020s), professor of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame * Erica Durance (born 1978), Canadian actress *

Erika Eleniak Erika Eleniak (born September 29, 1969) is an American actress, '' Playboy'' Playmate, and model known for her role in '' Baywatch'' as Shauni McClain. Her film debut was in '' E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial'' (1982). She starred in the films '' ...

(born 1969), American actress and Playboy Playmate *

Erika Ender Erika María Ender Simoes (born 21 December 1974) is a Panamanian-American singer and songwriter. In addition to her singing career, Ender is considered one of the most important and prolific composers in the Latin music market today. Along with ...

(born 1974), Panamanian singer, songwriter and actress *

Erika Fisch Erika Fisch (29 April 1934 – 9 November 2021) was a German athlete. She represented the United Team of Germany at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, placing fourth in the long jump. At the 1962 European Championships she won silver in th ...

(born 1934), German athlete * Erika Fuchs (1906–2005), German translator *

Erica Garner Erica Garner-Snipes (May 29, 1990 – December 30, 2017) was an American activist who advocated for police reform, particularly in the use of force during arrests. Garner became involved in activism following the 2014 murder of her father, Eri ...

(1990-2017), American activist * Erika González (born 1972), Mexican freestyle swimmer * Erika Hamden, US astrophysicist and Assistant Professor *

Erika Hansen Erika Marie Hansen (born March 9, 1970) is an American former competition swimmer and Pan Pacific Championships champion who represented the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics and 1992 Summer Olympics. Pan Pacifics Hansen won a gold me ...

(born 1970), American swimmer *

Erika Harlacher Erika Lynn Harlacher-Stone (; born August 29, 1990) is an American voice actress based in the Los Angeles area who has provided voices for English dubbed Japanese anime shows and video games. Some of her major roles in anime include: Yugo in W ...

(born 1990), American voice actress *

Erika Harold Erika Natalie Louise Harold (born February 20, 1980) is an American attorney, politician, and former Miss America. Harold was Miss Illinois 2002 and Miss America 2003. Her pageant platform was combating bullying. In 2014, she was a candidate ...

(born 1980), American attorney, politician, and 2003 Miss America *

Erika Henningsen Erika Leigh Henningsen (born August 13, 1992) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her work on Broadway and for originating the role of Cady Heron in the 2018 Tony-nominated musical ''Mean Girls'', for which she received an O ...

(born 1992), American actress * Erika Heynatz (1975-), Australian model, actress, singer and television personality *

Erica Hill Erica Ruth Hill-Yount is an American journalist who works for CNN. She serves as a primary substitute anchor and a correspondent. She co-anchored ''Weekend Today'' from 2012 to 2016, following work at CBS since 2008. Personal life Hill was bo ...

(born 1976), American journalist * Erica Jarder (born 1986), Swedish long jumper *

Erika Jayne Erika Girardi (née Chahoy; born July 10, 1971), known professionally as Erika Jayne, is an American singer, television personality and former actress. Early life Erika Girardi was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 10, 1971, to single mother Re ...

, dance/electronica artist *

Erica Johansson Erica Johansson (born February 5, 1974) is a Swedish former athlete who specialized in the long jump. She is the 1992 World Junior Champion, the 1993 European Junior Champion, and the 2000 European Indoor Champion. She also competed at the 2000 ...

(born 1974), Swedish long jumper * Erica Jong (born 1942), American author *

Erika Kaljusaar Erika Kaljusaar (born 26 March 1956) is an Estonian stage, film, and television actress, theatre producer, and stage manager whose career began on stage in 1979. She is a founder of the Open Stage Association of Freelance Actors, and a founding m ...

(born 1956), Estonian actress * Erika Kinsey (born 1988), Swedish high jumper * Erika Kirpu (born 1992), Estonian épée fencer * Erika Liebman (1738–1803), Swedish poet *

Erika deLone Erika deLone (born October 14, 1972) is an American retired tennis player who turned professional in 1992. She reached one WTA Tour singles final in her career, finishing runner-up to Åsa Svensson at the Wismilak International in 1999. In April ...

, (born 1972), retired American professional tennis player *

Erica Lindbeck Erica Lindbeck (born May 29, 1992) is an American voice actress known for her work with Bang Zoom!, Studiopolis, and NYAV Post in voicing characters in English-dubbed anime and video games. She was the voice of the Barbie dolls and merchandi ...

, American voice actress * Erica Luttrell (born 1982), Canadian voice actress *

Erika Mann Erika Julia Hedwig Mann (9 November 1905 – 27 August 1969) was a German actress and writer, daughter of the novelist Thomas Mann. Erika lived a bohemian lifestyle in Berlin and became a critic of National Socialism. After Hitler came to power ...

(1905–1969), German writer, the daughter of Thomas Mann * Erika Mann (politician) (born 1950), German politician * Erika Marín-Spiotta, Spanish-born biogeochemist and ecosystem ecologist *''Erika Mitchell'' is the real name of author

E. L. James Erika Mitchell (born 7 March 1963), known by her pen name E. L. James, is a British author. She wrote the best-selling erotic romance trilogy ''Fifty Shades of Grey'', '' Fifty Shades Darker'', and '' Fifty Shades Freed'', along with the compa ...

(born 1963) * Erika Nara, Japanese Paralympic swimmer *

Érika Olivera Érika Alejandra Olivera de la Fuente (born 4 January 1976 in Quinta Normal) is a female marathon runner from Chile and deputy for the National Renewal party. She has competed at five Olympic Games, the most Olympic appearances ever by a fem ...

(born 1976), Chilean marathon runner * Erica Packer (born 1975), Australian singer and model * Erica Parsons (1998-2011), American child abuse and murder victim * Erika Pluhar (born 1939), Austrian actress, singer and author * Erica Rose (born 1982), American long-distance swimmer * Erika Rudolf (born 1954), Hungarian high jumper *

Erica Sakurazawa is a Japanese manga author whose works are mostly published in josei magazines. She has some works published in the adult manga magazine '' Manga Burikko''. Works * ''Ai shiau Koto shika dekinai'' * ''Angel Breath'' * ''Boku no Angel Dust'' ...

(born 1963), Japanese manga author *

Érika Érika Cristiano dos Santos (born 4 February 1988), commonly known as Érika, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Corinthians and the Brazilian women's national team. Érika played as a forward for her clubs and Brazil's y ...

or Érika Cristiano dos Santos (born 1988), Brazilian football defender *

Erika Sawajiri is a Japanese former actress, singer, and model. After starting out as a junior model, Sawajiri transitioned to acting in 2002 and has starred in ''Break Through!'', '' Shinobi: Heart Under Blade'', and '' 1 Litre of Tears'', for all of which sh ...

(沢尻エリカ, born 1986), Japanese gravure model, singer and actress *

Erika Slezak Erika Alma Hermina Slezak (; born August 5, 1946) is an American actress, best known for her role as Victoria "Viki" Lord on the American daytime soap opera '' One Life to Live'' from 1971 through the television finale in 2012 and again in th ...

(born 1946), American actress best known for her long-running role as Viki Davidson on ''One Life to Live'' * Érika de Souza (born 1982), Brazilian basketball player * Erika Steinbach (born 1943), German politician * Erika Toda (戸田恵梨香, born 1988), Japanese actress * Erika Umeda (born 1991), Japanese singer and model, former member of

Cute Cuteness is a subjective term describing a type of attractiveness commonly associated with youth and appearance, as well as a scientific concept and analytical model in ethology, first introduced by Konrad Lorenz. Lorenz proposed the concept of ...

* Erika Wendt (1917–2003), German WWII spy *

Erika Yazawa is a Japanese gravure idol. She is from Tokyo, and was a first year member (#7) of the idol group Idoling!!!. On December 11, 2011 it was announced that she would graduate from Idoling!!! on December 31 together with Fonchi (#8). Her nickname is ...

(born 1990), Japanese gravure model, actress and member of

Idoling!!! was a Japanese TV show with attached female idol group created by Fuji TV. The concept of the group was to watch as the girls grow as idols and experience various things. Idoling's main source of exposure was their TV show, which aired severa ...

Erika Zavaleta Erika S. Zavaleta is an American professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Zavaleta is recognized for her research focusing on topics including plant community ecology, conservation practices for t ...

, American ecologist and evolutionary biologist

Fictional characters

*Erika, the eponymous character of the German marching song " Erika" *

Erika (Pokémon) Erika may refer to: Arts and Entertainment * Hayasaka Erika (''Megatokyo)'' * Erika (''Friends'') * Erika (''Pokémon'') * Erika (''Underworld'') * Erika Itsumi ''(Girls und Panzer)'' * ''Erika'' (film), a 1971 Italian thriller film * "E ...

, a character in the video game series ''Pokémon'' *

Erika (Underworld) The following list of characters from the ''Underworld'' franchise. Vampires Their metamorphosis is not nearly as startling as their lycan counterparts. When they metamorphose, their eyes turn a shade of electric blue or bright gold, while thei ...

, a character in the film ''Underworld'' *Erika, a character in the anime series '' Tōshō Daimos'' *Erika, the titular pauper of ''

Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper ''Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper'' is a 2004 computer-animated musical fantasy film. It was released to video on September 28, 2004, and made its television premiere on Nickelodeon on November 14, 2004. This film is the first musical in t ...

'' *Erica Ainsworth, a character in the manga series ''

Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya is a Japanese manga series by Hiroshi Hiroyama (also known as KALMIA), serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's ''Comp Ace'' magazine from 2007 to 2008. It is an alternate universe spin-off of the '' Fate/stay night'' visual novel by Type-Mo ...

'' *, a character in the anime series '' Anime-Gataris'' *

Erika Berger Erika Berger (August 13, 1939 – May 15, 2016) was a German television presenter and author. Life Berger worked as a television presenter on German television broadcaster RTL. As a writer she wrote several books on sexuality Human se ...

, a character in the novel series ''Millennium'' *, a character in the light novel series ''The Irregular at Magic High School'' *Erica Davidson, a character in the television series ''

Prisoner A prisoner (also known as an inmate or detainee) is a person who is deprived of liberty against their will. This can be by confinement, captivity, or forcible restraint. The term applies particularly to serving a prison sentence in a prison. ...

'' *

Erica Farrell The following is a list of the characters from the ''Degrassi Classic'' era of the Canadian teen drama '' Degrassi'' franchise, created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. ''Degrassi Junior High'' was the second series in the '' Degrassi'' fr ...

, a character in the media franchise ''Degrassi'' * Erica Fontaine, a character in the media franchise ''Sakura Taisen'' * Erika Ford, a character in the television series ''Friends'' *, a character in the visual novel series ''Umineko When They Cry'' *Erica Goldberg, a character in the television series '' The Goldbergs'' * Erica Hahn, a character in the television series ''Grey's Anatomy'' * Erica Hartmann, a character in the media franchise ''Strike Witches'' *, a character in the anime series ''

Girls und Panzer , abbreviated as ''GuP'' or ''Garupan'' , is a Japanese anime franchise created by Actas which depicts a competition between girls' high schools practicing tank warfare as a sport. The series was directed by Tsuto ...

'' *, a character in the anime series '' HeartCatch PreCure!'' *, a character in the webcomic ''Megatokyo'' *

Erica Kane Erica Kane is a fictional character from the American ABC Daytime soap opera ''All My Children''. The character was portrayed by actress Susan Lucci from her debut on January 16, 1970, until the last broadcast television episode on September 23, ...

, a character in the soap opera ''All My Children'' * Erika Kohut, protagonist of the novel ''The Piano Teacher'' *, a character in the visual novel ''

Fortune Arterial is a Japanese adult visual novel, developed by August, released as a limited edition version on January 25, 2008 playable on Windows PCs as a DVD. ''Fortune Arterial'' is August's fifth game, preceded by other titles such as '' Tsuki wa Higa ...

'' * Erica Reyes, a character in the television series ''Teen Wolf'' * Erica Strange, a character in the television series ''Being Erica'' * Erica Sinclair, a character in the

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a ...

Series

Stranger Things ''Stranger Things'' is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by the Duffer Brothers, who also serve as showrunners and are executive producers along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. Produced by Monkey Massacre Pr ...

*, a character in the manga series '' Wolf Girl and Black Prince'' *, a character in the anime series ''

Sakura Quest is a 25-episode Japanese anime television series produced by P.A. Works and directed by Sōichi Masui. It aired from April 5 to September 20, 2017. The anime is described as part of P.A. Works' "working series", which tells the stories about pe ...

'' *, a character in the anime series ''

Ginga e Kickoff!! is a Japanese anime series produced by TYO Animations. It follows the Momoyama Predators, an association football Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players w ...

'' *, a character in the anime series '' Tsuritama'' * Erica Yurken, protagonist of the novel ''Hating Alison Ashley''

References

{{given name Japanese feminine given names English-language feminine given names Swedish feminine given names German feminine given names Swiss feminine given names English feminine given names Finnish feminine given names Danish feminine given names Norwegian feminine given names Icelandic feminine given names Scandinavian feminine given names Spanish feminine given names Portuguese feminine given names Italian feminine given names Estonian feminine given names

People with the name

Fictional characters

See also

References