Erika is a feminine given name of German origin. It is derived from the Old Norse female name Eiríkr, which was originally used as both a male and female name. The name Eiríkr means "eternally powerful" or "always powerful."
The name Erika gained popularity in the late 19th century, when it began to be used more frequently as a feminine given name. It has since become popular in several countries around the world, including Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the United States.
Erika is often associated with the literary character Erika von Kessler, who appears in the novella "Wings of Desire" by German author Peter Handke. The character was also portrayed on film by Bruno Ganz in the 1987 film "Wings of Desire," directed by Wim Wenders.
Overall, Erika is a strong and powerful name with a rich history and international appeal. Its meaning makes it an appealing choice for parents looking for a meaningful and memorable name for their daughter.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Erika in the United States from 1969 to 2004. The data reveals that the popularity of the name Erika fluctuated over this period.
In the early years, the name's popularity was quite low, with only 6 births recorded in both 1970 and 1973. However, there was a notable increase from 1974 onwards, reaching a peak in 1986 with 33 births that year.
The highest number of Erika births occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the years 1986 to 1992 seeing between 25 to 42 births each year. After this peak period, the popularity of the name started to decline again.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the number of Erika births had significantly decreased, with only single-digit figures recorded from 1996 onwards, reaching a low of just 7 births in 1997. The most recent year listed is 2004, with 8 births recorded.
In total, there were 548 births named Erika in the United States over this 35-year period. This demonstrates how trends in baby naming can change significantly over time.