Fun Facts About the Name Elric
- 581 babies named Elric: U.S. records list 581 babies given the name Elric from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Elric Mean?
Elric is a modern spelling of the Old English name Ælfrīc (often written Ælfric), formed from two elements: ælf, meaning "elf," and rīce, meaning "rule," "power," or "kingdom." Taken literally, the name means "elf-ruler" or "elf-power."
The first element, ælf, appears in many Old English personal names, including Ælfrēd (Alfred) and Ælfwine. The second element, -rīc, is a common Germanic name-forming element meaning "ruler"; it also appears in names such as Æðelrīc (Æthelric), and it is related to Old Norse ríkr and Old High German rīhhi. The same two elements combine in the Old High German name Albrih, which lies behind the German Alberich.
Elric is not a form of the separate name Eric. Eric comes from Old Norse Eiríkr, whose first element means "ever" or "always," so the two names look alike but have different origins.
Elric Name History & Origins
Ælfrīc was a common name in Anglo-Saxon England. It was borne by Ælfric of Eynsham (c. 955 - c. 1010), a monk and homilist whose Old English sermons and translations of parts of the Bible survive, and by Ælfric of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury from 995 to 1005. A secular bearer, Ælfric Cild, was an earl outlawed in 1071. The name is recorded in charters, wills, and land surveys of the period. A related Norse form, Álfríkr, is found in Scandinavian usage.
After the Norman Conquest, Ælfrīc declined along with many other Old English names. The modern spelling Elric corresponds to the Old English form with the ligature æ written as e and the length marks dropped. Whether modern given-name use descends continuously from the Anglo-Saxon name or reflects a later revival of the spelling is not firmly established.
The name is now most familiar from Michael Moorcock's fantasy series about Elric of Melniboné, beginning with the story "The Dreaming City" in 1961. This literary use is far later than the Anglo-Saxon records of Ælfrīc and should not be confused with the name's earliest documented history.
How Popular is the Name Elric?
Elric has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2019. Its best rank was #3,437 in 2019.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,286 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2024 | #4,732 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 2023 | #3,816 | 29 | 0.0017% |
| 2022 | #4,117 | 26 | 0.0015% |
| 2021 | #4,405 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 2020 | #5,783 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2019 | #3,437 | 33 | 0.0018% |
| 2018 | #3,633 | 30 | 0.0017% |
| 2017 | #3,805 | 28 | 0.0015% |
| 2016 | #4,993 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 2015 | #4,109 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 2014 | #7,188 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2013 | #4,511 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 2012 | #7,195 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2011 | #7,139 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2010 | #8,330 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2009 | #10,166 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2007 | #8,391 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #9,876 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #10,486 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2004 | #5,326 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2002 | #9,742 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #7,757 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2000 | #6,036 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1999 | #6,174 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1998 | #4,962 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1997 | #6,246 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #7,375 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1995 | #8,112 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #6,004 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1993 | #7,937 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #4,399 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1991 | #4,568 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1990 | #7,444 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #6,420 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #4,912 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1987 | #4,345 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1985 | #4,435 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1984 | #6,617 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #3,467 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1980 | #5,101 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #6,345 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1978 | #5,271 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1976 | #5,867 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1971 | #5,141 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1918 | #4,357 | 5 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Elric Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are fine when in harmony but changeable when in discord, because many of your best qualities are then reversed. You are entertaining but may be impulsive. Freedom is a necessity, and you find it difficult to settle down. Your versatility results in many changes, and often brings travel. Your fine intellect is capable of high honors if applied seriously. You are capable of inspired thinking applied to material things. You can be restless, changeable, and very sexy. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Elric's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Elric's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.