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The given name Eric is of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the name Ei(r)ríkr, meaning "eternal ruler," compounded from the words ei(r) "eternal" (cognate to English aye meaning always and Latin aevum, among others) and ríkr,"ruler" in Old Norse (cognate to -rix in Celtic names and the Latin noun rex, among others). The most common historical form in Scandinavia is Erik. In Norway, an older form of the name is Eirik that is still seen, but Erik is more commonly used in Norway today as it is in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. In Finland, the form Erkki is also used. The modern Icelandic version is Eiríkur.
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