Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1971

Erich

Gender Boy Rank 2025 #5,937
Rank 2025
#5,937
among boys · ↓208 vs 2024
Babies in 2025
15
named Erich
How common
1 in 113,872
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1971
343 babies
All-time total
11,706
#1,099 all-time among boys
First recorded
1894
in Social Security records

Erich popularity over time

11,706 babies have been named Erich since 1894, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.060.130.190.2518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Girls Boys Total Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – – – –
1890s – 31 31 3 – #809
1900s – 22 22 2 -29% #886
1910s – 180 180 18 +718% #1,143
1920s – 218 218 22 +21% #1,348
1930s – 253 253 25 +16% #1,151
1940s – 365 365 37 +44% #1,021
1950s – 800 800 80 +119% #680
1960s – 1,946 1,946 195 +143% #493
1970s 7 2,643 2,650 265 +36% #441
1980s 20 2,360 2,380 238 -10% #515
1990s – 1,673 1,673 167 -30% #718
2000s – 758 758 76 -55% #1,122
2010s 5 322 327 33 -57% #2,519
2020s (to 2025) – 103 103 17 -48% #4,211

The story of Erich

Erich is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,937 in 2025 with 15 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1894, 11,706 American babies have been named Erich. Its peak came in 1971, when 343 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Erich stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Erich?

The median living Erich is about 45 years old; half are between 34 and 55. An estimated 10,000 people named Erich are alive in the United States today.

median 45 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Erich year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 – – 15 #5,937
2024 – – 16 #5,729
2023 – – 13 #6,643
2022 – – 25 #4,211
2021 – – 18 #5,191
2020 – – 16 #5,527
2019 – – 20 #4,845
2018 – – 13 #6,454
2017 – – 25 #4,144
2016 – – 30 #3,616
2015 – – 28 #3,809
2014 – – 48 #2,554
2013 – – 39 #2,907
2012 – – 34 #3,252
2011 5 #17,616 49 #2,519
2010 – – 36 #3,141
2009 – – 51 #2,494
2008 – – 51 #2,484
2007 – – 57 #2,287
2006 – – 56 #2,261
2005 – – 73 #1,793
2004 – – 78 #1,658
2003 – – 91 #1,439
2002 – – 91 #1,425
2001 – – 85 #1,455
2000 – – 125 #1,122
1995 – – 155 #876
1990 – – 201 #718
1985 – – 252 #555
1980 5 #10,859 272 #515
1975 – – 256 #500
1970 – – 304 #464
1965 – – 211 #528
1960 – – 165 #609
1955 – – 71 #880
1950 – – 46 #1,040
1945 – – 39 #1,021
1940 – – 38 #1,052
1935 – – 19 #1,607
1930 – – 31 #1,287
1925 – – 27 #1,430
1920 – – 23 #1,608
1915 – – 23 #1,428
1910 – – – –
1905 – – – –
1900 – – 9 #927
1895 – – 5 #1,132
1890 – – – –
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Famous people named Erich

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

  1. 1 Erich von Manstein Erich von Manstein German field marshal (1887–1973) 19th century
  2. 2 Erich Ludendorff Erich Ludendorff German general and politician (1865–1937) 19th century
  3. 3 Erich Honecker Erich Honecker Leader of East Germany, 1971–1989 1912–1994 · Contemporary
  4. 4 Erich von Däniken Erich von Däniken Swiss writer (1935–2026) Contemporary
  5. 5 Erich Hartmann Erich Hartmann German World War II flying ace (1922–1993) Contemporary
  6. 6 Erich Maria Remarque Erich Maria Remarque German novelist (1898–1970) 19th century
  7. 7 Erich Raeder Erich Raeder German admiral (1876–1960) 19th century
  8. 8 Erich Fromm Erich Fromm German-American psychologist (1900–1980) Contemporary
  9. 9 Erich von Falkenhayn Erich von Falkenhayn German general (1861–1922) 19th century
  10. 10 Erich von Stroheim Erich von Stroheim Austrian-American actor and director (1885–1957) 19th century
  11. 11 Erich Mielke Erich Mielke East German secret police chief (1907–2000) Contemporary
  12. 12 Erich Priebke Erich Priebke German SS police commander (1913–2013) Contemporary
  13. 13 Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski German politician and SS general (1899–1972) 19th century
  14. 14 Erich Wolfgang Korngold Erich Wolfgang Korngold Austrian-born American composer and conductor (1897–1957) 19th century
  15. 15 Erich Koch Erich Koch Nazi leader (1896–1986) 19th century
  16. 16 Erich Kempka Erich Kempka Chauffeur for Adolf Hitler (1910–1975) Contemporary
  17. 17 Erich Hoepner Erich Hoepner German general (1886–1944) 19th century
  18. 18 Erich Kästner Erich Kästner German author, poet and satirist (1899–1974) 19th century
  19. 19 Erich Segal Erich Segal American author (1937–2010) Contemporary
  20. 20 Erich Fellgiebel Erich Fellgiebel German general (1886–1944) 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Erich, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Erich?

The median living Erich is about 45 years old. Half of all living Erichs are between 34 and 55 years old.

How many people named Erich are alive today?

An estimated 10,000 people named Erich are alive in the United States, based on 11,706 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Erich in 2025?

Erich ranked #5,937 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 15 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Erich?

11,706 babies have been named Erich in the United States since 1894, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Erich most popular?

Erich peaked in 1971, when 343 newborns received the name.

Is Erich a boy or girl name?

Erich is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Erich rising or falling?

Erich is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Erich?

Well-known people named Erich include Erich von Manstein (military personnel), Erich Ludendorff (military personnel), Erich Honecker (politician).

Names like Erich

Names that sound and feel close to Erich: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Erich with similar names → More names starting with E →