Fun Facts About the Name Erykah
- More than 1 thousand babies named Erykah: U.S. records list 1,554 babies given the name Erykah from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Erykah Mean?
Erykah is a modern spelling of Erica, a name with two distinct established derivations. The botanical derivation is from Latin erica, meaning "heather," which comes from Greek ereíkē, the name of the heather plant. The Germanic derivation treats Erica as the feminine form of Eric, from Old Norse Eiríkr, commonly explained as "ever ruler," from ei "ever" and ríkr "ruler" or "mighty." The Latin plant word and the Norse personal name are unrelated in origin. The altered spelling Erykah does not add a separate meaning.
Erykah Name History & Origins
Erykah is a stylized respelling of Erica: the i becomes y and a final h is added. It does not descend separately from the Latin plant word or the Norse personal name; its history is the history of Erica with a changed spelling. The spelling is associated with the American singer Erykah Badu, born Erica Abi Wright, who performs under that name. It remains a variant spelling rather than the standard English form.
How Popular is the Name Erykah?
Erykah recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 1997. Its best rank was #757 in 1997.
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 | #13,733 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2024 | #6,702 | 17 | 0.0011% |
| 2023 | #11,505 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2022 | #5,513 | 23 | 0.0014% |
| 2021 | #6,017 | 20 | 0.0012% |
| 2020 | #9,777 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2019 | #5,664 | 22 | 0.0013% |
| 2018 | #4,920 | 27 | 0.0016% |
| 2017 | #5,224 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 2016 | #5,851 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2015 | #7,074 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2014 | #6,278 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2013 | #6,324 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2012 | #5,009 | 28 | 0.0016% |
| 2011 | #4,601 | 31 | 0.0018% |
| 2010 | #4,226 | 35 | 0.0020% |
| 2009 | #4,605 | 32 | 0.0017% |
| 2008 | #3,885 | 41 | 0.0022% |
| 2007 | #4,599 | 32 | 0.0017% |
| 2006 | #4,717 | 30 | 0.0016% |
| 2005 | #4,405 | 31 | 0.0017% |
| 2004 | #3,580 | 41 | 0.0022% |
| 2003 | #2,151 | 81 | 0.0044% |
| 2002 | #2,795 | 54 | 0.0030% |
| 2001 | #1,925 | 90 | 0.0050% |
| 2000 | #1,664 | 106 | 0.0058% |
| 1999 | #1,361 | 130 | 0.0073% |
| 1998 | #780 | 276 | 0.0156% |
| 1997 | #757 | 279 | 0.0160% |
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 Erykah 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 seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Erykah's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Erykah's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.