The

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

Erika is a female name with multiple meanings of

Old Norse Old Norse, also referred to as Old Nordic or Old Scandinavian, was 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 ...

and

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

origin. Erika and the variants Erica, Ericka, or Ereka are feminine forms of

Eric The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, Eirik, or Eiríkur 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-N ...

, derived from the

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; Danish and ; ; ; ) was an Indo-European language spoken in Scandinavia that is thought to have evolved as a northern dialect of Proto-Germanic in the first centuries CE. It is the earliest stage of a c ...

''*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 Dictionary. "Monarch". 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 ...

" or "eternal ruler, ever powerful". It is a common name in many

Western societies The Western world, also known as the West, primarily refers to various nations and states in Western Europe, Northern America, and Australasia; with some debate as to whether those in Eastern Europe and Latin America also constitute the West. ...

. Erika (えりか , エリカ) is a common female

Japanese given name in modern times consist of a family name (surname) followed by a given name. Japanese names are usually written in kanji, where the pronunciation follows a special set of rules. Because parents when naming children, and foreigners when adoptin ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

. It has multiple meanings depending on the

kanji are logographic Chinese characters, adapted from Chinese family of scripts, Chinese script, used in the writing of Japanese language, Japanese. They were made a major part of the Japanese writing system during the time of Old Japanese and are ...

. The Japanese origin of the given name has nothing in common with the Nordic roots of the Western version. ''

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

'' is also the name of a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family

Ericaceae The Ericaceae () are a Family (biology), 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 about 4,250 known species spread acros ...

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

Authors and poets

Erica Jong Erica Jong (née Mann; born March 26, 1942) is an American novelist, satirist, and poet known particularly for her 1973 novel ''Fear of Flying''. The book became famously controversial for its attitudes towards female sexuality and figured pro ...

(born 1942), American author *

Erica Sakurazawa is a Japanese mangaka, manga artist and essayist. Most of her works are published in josei magazines. Career Sakurazawa grew up in Tokyo. As a child, she read shōjo manga by Yukari Ichijo, Keiko Takemiya and Ryoko Yamagishi. During her secon ...

(born 1963), Japanese manga author * Erika Liebman (1738–1803), Swedish poet *

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 Mitchell, the real name of author E. L. James (born 1963)

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 * Eri ...

, 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 is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Company and animated by Nippon Sunrise, directed by Tadao Nagahama as his last work. It is the third and final installment of the ''Robot Romance Trilogy'', following ''Chōdenji Robo C ...

'' *Erika, the titular pauper of ''

Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper ''Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper'' is a 2004 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 the Barbie ...

'' *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-Moo ...

'' *Erika Amano, a character in the manga series ''

A Couple of Cuckoos is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Miki Yoshikawa. It was originally published as a one-shot in September 2019, before beginning serialization in Kodansha's ''Weekly Shōnen Magazine'' in January 2020. An anime television ...

'' *Erika Aoi, a character in the game series ''

Heaven Burns Red (stylized in block capitals) is a free-to-play mobile role-playing video game co-developed by WFS, Inc. and Key. It was released on February 10, 2022, for iOS and Android in Japan, and worldwide in 15 November 2024. It is Jun Maeda's first co ...

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

Anime-Gataris is a Japanese short animation that served as intermission for Toho Cinemas' animated films at Shinjuku, Tokyo from 2015 to 2016. The anime follows the rapid-fire chit-chat of "charming characters" in an anime club at the Tokyo University. An ...

'' *

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 s ...

, a character in the novel series ''Millennium'' *, a character in the web 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 or captivity in a prison or physical restraint. The term usually applies to one serving a Sentence (law), se ...

'' * Erica Farrell, 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 franchise created by Actas. It depicts a competition between girls' high schools practicing tank warfare as a sport. The series was directed by Tsutomu Miz ...

'' * (a.k.a. Cure Marine), a major character in the anime series '' HeartCatch PreCure!'' *

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, 2 ...

, a character in the soap opera ''All My Children'' * Erika Kohut, protagonist of the novel ''The Piano Teacher'' *Erika Mishima, a character in the video game series '' Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker's Memory'' *, a character in the visual novel '' Fortune Arterial'' * 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 is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

Series

Stranger Things ''Stranger Things'' is an American television series created by the Duffer brothers, Duffer Brothers for Netflix. Produced by Monkey Massacre Productions and 21 Laps Entertainment, the Stranger Things season 1, first season was released on N ...

*, a character in the manga series '' Wolf Girl and Black Prince'' *Erika Shiragami (白神英理加) a character from the movie Godzilla vs Biollante *, a character in the anime series '' Sakura Quest'' *, a character in the anime series '' Ginga e Kickoff!!'' *, a character in the anime series '' Tsuritama'' * Erica Yurken, protagonist of the novel ''Hating Alison Ashley''

Politics

* Erica de Vries, American politician * Erica Yuen (born 1980), Hong Kong politician, actress, and presenter *

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 Mann (politician) (born 1950), German politician *

Erika Steinbach Erika Steinbach (, born 25 July 1943) is a German right-wing politician. She previously served as a member of the Bundestag from 1990 until 2017. She was a member of the Christian Democratic Union from 1974 to 2017, and served as a member of t ...

(born 1943), German politician

Science and education

* Erica Hinckson, New Zealand professor of sport and exercise science *

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 second c ...

(1900–1996), German physicist * Erika Cuellar (born 1978), Bolivian biologist *

Erika Doss Erika Lee Doss is an American educator and author. She currently holds the EODIAH Distinguished Chair in Art History Professorship in The Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History at the University of Texas at Dallas. Formerly, she was a professor a ...

(fl. 1980s–2020s), professor of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame *

Erika Hamden Erika Tobiason Hamden is an American astrophysicist and associate professor at the University of Arizona and Steward Observatory. Her research focuses on developing ultraviolet (UV) detector technology, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV/VI ...

, American astrophysicist and Assistant Professor * Erika Marín-Spiotta, Spanish-born biogeochemist and ecosystem ecologist * Erika Zavaleta, American ecologist and evolutionary biologist

Sports

Basketball

* Erica Gavel (born 1991), Canadian wheelchair basketball player * Érika de Souza (born 1982), Brazilian basketball player

Football

* Erika Vázquez (born 1983), Spanish footballer * Érika Cristiano dos Santos (born 1988), Brazilian footballer

Golf

* Erica Blasberg (1984–2010), American professional golfer * Erika Hara (born 1999), Japanese professional golfer

Gymnastics

Erica Sanz Ginés Erica Sanz Ginés (born 2003) is a Spanish athlete who competes in trampoline gymnastics. Her younger sister Diana Sanz Ginés Diana Sanz Ginés (born 2005) is a Spanish athlete who competes in trampoline gymnastics. Her older sister Erica Sa ...

(born 2003), Spanish gymnast * Erika Akiyama (born 1964), Japanese rhythmic gymnast

Swimming

Erica Morningstar Erica Rachelle Morningstar (born March 3, 1989) is a Canadian swimmer who has competed in international events including the 2008 Summer Olympics, and 2012 Summer Olympics. Early life Morningstar was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. She began swim ...

(born 1989), Canadian swimmer * Erica Rose (born 1982), American long-distance swimmer *

Erica Sullivan (swimmer) Erica Marie Sullivan (born August 9, 2000) is a retired American swimming (sport), swimmer. She received a silver medal in the 1500-meter freestyle at the 2020 Summer Olympics after placing second and qualifying in the event at the 2020 United S ...

(born 2000), American swimmer * Erika González (born 1972), Mexican freestyle swimmer * Erika Hansen (born 1970), American swimmer * Erika Nara, Japanese Paralympic swimmer

Track and field

* Erica Alfridi (born 1968), Italian race walker * Erica Bartolina (born 1980), American pole vaulter * Erica Bougard (born 1993), American heptathlete * Erica Jarder (born 1986), Swedish long jumper * Erica Johansson (born 1974), Swedish long jumper * Erika Fisch (1934–2021), German long jumper *

Erika Kinsey Erika Anna Kristina Kinsey (née Wiklund; born 10 March 1988) is a Swedish high jumper. She was European Junior Champion in 2007. Biography Wiklund was born in Nälden on 10 March 1988. She took up sports as a child, playing ice hockey and asso ...

(born 1988), Swedish high jumper * Erika Rudolf (1954–2009), Hungarian high jumper *

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 Democrats party. She has competed at five Olympic Games, the most Olympic appearances ever by a female ma ...

(born 1976), Chilean marathon runner

Volleyball

* Erika Araki (born 1984), Japanese national volleyball team captain * Érika Coimbra (born 1980), Brazilian volleyball player

Other sports

* Erika Akaya (born 1990), Japanese field hockey player for the Japanese national team * Erika Alarcón, Paraguayan roller skater *

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 Ap ...

, (born 1972), retired American professional tennis player * Erika Doornbos (born 1956), Dutch curler * Erika Kirpu (born 1992), Estonian épée fencer * Erika Schmutz (born 1973), Canadian former Wheelchair rugby player and power engineer

Entertainment

Actresses

Erica Durance Erica Durance (; born June 21, 1978) is a Canadian actress known for her roles as Lois Lane in the superhero television series ''Smallville'' (2004–2011) and as Dr. Alex Reid in the medical drama series ''Saving Hope'' (2012–2017). She has al ...

(born 1978), Canadian actress * Erika Alexander (born 1969), American actress * Erika Anderson, American actress * Erika Buenfil (born 1963), Mexican actress *

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

(born 1982), American actress * Erika Eleniak (born 1969), American actress and Playboy Playmate * Erica Gimpel (born 1964), American actress *

Erika Henningsen Erika Leigh Henningsen (born August 13, 1992) is an American actress, singer and voice actress. 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 s ...

(born 1992), American actress * Erika Kaljusaar (born 1956), Estonian actress *

Erika Pluhar Erika Pluhar is an Austria, Austrian actress, singer, and author, born on 28 February 1939 in Vienna. She is the daughter of Anna and Dr Josef Pluhar. Pluhar's younger sister, Ingeborg G. Pluhar, is a painter and sculptor. Erika Pluhar is not rela ...

(born 1939), Austrian actress, singer and author * Erika Slezak (born 1946), American actress best known for her long-running role as Viki Davidson on ''One Life to Live'' *

Erika Toda is a Japanese actress. Career Toda has starred in many Japanese television dramas, including '' Liar Game'', '' Code Blue'', '' Ryusei no Kizuna'', and ''Keizoku 2: SPEC''. She has also had supporting roles in many other popular TV dramas, suc ...

(戸田恵梨香, born 1988), Japanese actress

Models

* Erica Nego, beauty queen, model, and businesswoman * Erika Heynatz (born 1975), Australian model, actress, singer and television personality * Erika Sawajiri (沢尻エリカ, born 1986), Japanese gravure model, singer and actress * Erika Yazawa (born 1990), Japanese gravure model, actress and member of Idoling!!!

Singers and musicians

* Erica Banks, American rapper *

Erica Campbell Erica Monique Campbell (''née'', Atkins; born April 29, 1972) is an American Gospel singer and songwriter. Specializing in the urban contemporary gospel, Christian R&B, and contemporary R&B genres, she started her music career in the late 1990s ...

, (born 1972), American singer most famous from Mary Mary * Erica Packer (born 1975), Australian singer and model * Erika Amato (born 1969), American singer and actress * Erika de Casier (born 1989 or 1990), Danish singer, songwriter, and record producer *

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 Jayne, dance and electronica artist, actress and television personality * Erika Raum (born 1972), Canadian violinist * Erika Umeda (born 1991), Japanese singer and model, former member of Cute * Erika Vikman (born 1993), Finnish singer and songwriter *

Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. Influenced by rhythm and blues, R&B, Soul music, 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 * Érika Alcocer Luna (born 1974), Mexican singer, winner of the second generation of ''La Academia''

Theatre

* Erika Andia, Bolivian theatre actress, director and journalist *

Erika Dickerson-Despenza Erika Dickerson-Despenza is an American playwright. She won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 2021 for her play, ''cullud wattah''. Early life and education Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Dickerson-Despenza graduated from the University of ...

, American playwright

Voice actresses

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

Erika Harlacher Erika Lynn Harlacher-Stone (; born August 29, 1990) is an American voice actress who has provided voices for English dubbed Japanese anime shows and video games. Some of her major roles in anime include: Ami Kawashima in '' Toradora!'', Mimo ...

(born 1990), American voice actress

Other

* Erica Cornejo, Argentine ballet dancer *

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 killing of her father, Eri ...

(1990–2017), American activist *

Erica Hill Erica Ruth Hill-Yount is an American journalist who, as of 2024, 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 li ...

(born 1976), American journalist * Erica Parsons (1998–2011), American child abuse and murder victim * Erika Aittamaa (1866–1952), Swedish artisan of Tornedalian descent * Erika Allen, co-founder and CEO of Urban Growers Collective * Erika Anderson (engineer) (1989–2023), American mechanical engineer * Erika Billeter (1927–2011), German-born Swiss curator, art historian, writer, and museum director *

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 old ...

, American painter and daughter of Bill Cosby * Erika Costell (born 1993), American YouTuber, model, and singer * Erika Fuchs (1906–2005), German translator * Erika von Brockdorff (1911–1943), German resistance fighter during the Second World War * Erika Wendt (1917–2003), German WWII spy

References

{{given name Japanese 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 Feminine given names English-language feminine given names