Erving
A male name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Old English name Irving.
Name Census estimates that about 468 living Americans carry the first name Erving. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Erving today is around 49 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Erving births was 1921 (23 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Erving. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
468
~ 1 in 732,381 Americans
Peak year
1921
23 babies that year
Average age
49
years old
2018 SSA rank
#12,733
Tracked since 1881
Popularity
Erving: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Erving from the 1880s through to the 2010s, spanning 14 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 165 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Erving by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Erving during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Ervings live
Origin
Meaning and history of Erving
The given name Erving is a relatively uncommon name with its origins shrouded in mystery. It is believed to have originated in the Germanic languages, specifically from the Old English root word "eofor," which means "wild boar."
Some linguists suggest that the name Erving may have been derived from the Old English name "Eoforwine," which translates to "boar friend" or "friend of the boar." This name was likely given to individuals who possessed qualities associated with the wild boar, such as strength, bravery, and resilience.
Historical records indicate that the name Erving was not widely used in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, there are a few notable individuals who bore this name throughout history.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Erving dates back to the 11th century. Erving the Archer (c. 1050 - c. 1120) was an English archer renowned for his exceptional skill with the longbow during the Norman Conquest of England.
In the 16th century, Erving Plantagenet (1520 - 1587) was a minor English nobleman and courtier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his diplomatic skills and served as an ambassador to several European courts.
During the American Revolutionary War, Erving Putnam (1745 - 1823) was a patriot and Continental Army soldier from Massachusetts. He fought in several significant battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Saratoga.
In the 19th century, Erving Winslow (1839 - 1920) was a prominent American businessman and industrialist. He founded the Winslow Manufacturing Company, which produced textiles and industrial machinery, and played a significant role in the industrialization of New England.
More recently, Erving "Magic" Johnson (born 1959) is a legendary American professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history and is known for his incredible passing skills and court vision.
While the name Erving may not be as widely recognized as some other given names, its historical roots and the individuals who bore this name have left an indelible mark on various aspects of history, ranging from military exploits and diplomacy to business and sports.
People
Erving + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Erving as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with E
Other first names starting with E with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Erving: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Erving?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 468 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Erving going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 732,381 US residents.
Is Erving a common name?
We classify Erving as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 940 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Erving most popular?
The single biggest year for Erving was 1921, when 23 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Erving is about 49 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Erving a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Erving in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.