Erie Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Erie is a name of Native American origin, meaning 'long tail.' It evolved from its association with the Erie people and has historical forms like Ery. The name gained prominence in the U.S. due to geographical ties and is perceived positively, linked to nature and heritage.
The name Erie is most popular in Mississippi, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Erie has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Erie' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2516th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2762nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1565th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1238th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2577th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 15020th out of 24088 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1218th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2401st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4388th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 11870th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16163rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 25257th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11081st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Erie' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Erie"
Pronunciation
/ˈɪəri/
Origin
Native American
Etymology
The name Erie is derived from the Erie people, a Native American tribe that lived in the region near Lake Erie. The term 'Erie' itself is often interpreted to mean 'long tail,' referring to the shape of the lake.
Meaning
long tail
Language Evolution
Erie (Native American origin), Ery (archaic form), Eri (modern adaptation)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, as places named Erie, such as Erie, Pennsylvania, became well-known.
Variants & Derivatives
Eri, Ery
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Erie is often associated with geographical locations, particularly Lake Erie, and carries connotations of nature and heritage.
Explore More Erie Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Erie"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Erie"
"Erie" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2516th of 7545 | 168 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2762nd of 6773 | 139 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1565th of 7552 | 478 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1238th of 10718 | 731 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2577th of 16616 | 385 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 15020th of 24088 | 31 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1218th of 9107 | 686 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2401st of 9204 | 237 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4388th of 12526 | 152 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 11870th of 19264 | 29 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 16163rd of 27321 | 33 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 25257th of 35406 | 20 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 11081st of 30306 | 100 |
Regional Popularity of "Erie" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
50.29% 1222nd/2430 |
77.71% 2217th/2853 |
54.52% 1513th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
43.31% 1272nd/2937 |
30.98% 1079th/3483 |
46.42% 1633rd/3518 |
29.33% 1186th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
53.68% 2402nd/4475 |
51.44% 2672nd/5194 |
55.42% 3501st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Erie" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
44.55% 1054th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
66.47% 1564th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
100.00% 2853rd/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Erie"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Erie" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.