Find out how popular the last name Erica is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Erica.

Erica, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Erica surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Erica in America

Erica is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Erica surname appeared 103 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Erica.

The history of the last name Erica

The surname Erica originates from the Old Norse word 'erika', meaning 'heather'. It is believed to have originated in Scandinavia, particularly in areas where the heather plant was abundant, such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Erica can be traced back to the 13th century in Iceland. In the Icelandic Sagas, a character named Erica is mentioned, suggesting the name's usage during that time period. It is likely that the name was brought to Iceland by Norwegian settlers.

During the Viking Age, many Scandinavian settlers migrated to various parts of Europe, including the British Isles. As a result, the name Erica can be found in historical records from regions like England, Scotland, and Ireland, where it may have been adapted from its Norse origins.

In the Domesday Book, a medieval census commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are several entries that potentially refer to individuals with the surname Erica or its derivatives. For example, the entry "Ericus" is listed as a landholder in Lincolnshire, England, which could be an early form of the name.

One notable historical figure with the surname Erica was Erik Eriksson (c. 1216-1295), a Swedish nobleman and statesman who served as the Jarl (Earl) of Sweden during the 13th century. He played a significant role in consolidating the power of the Swedish monarchy and establishing the country's legal code.

Another individual with the surname Erica was Erica Gustava Geijer (1624-1717), a Swedish noblewoman and landowner. She was known for her philanthropic efforts and for founding several schools and hospitals in Sweden during her lifetime.

In Scotland, the surname Erica is sometimes recorded as Eryk or Erick. One notable bearer of this name was Erick Stewart (c. 1460-1536), a Scottish nobleman and military commander who fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence against England.

In the Netherlands, the surname Erica has been recorded as early as the 16th century. One prominent individual with this surname was Erica van Ericum (1575-1646), a Dutch merchant and explorer who traveled extensively throughout the East Indies and established trade routes for the Dutch East India Company.

While the surname Erica has its roots in Scandinavia, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. The name's connection to the heather plant and its historical associations with nobility and exploration make it a distinctive and intriguing surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Erica

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Erica.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Erica was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Erica was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Erica, please contact us.

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