Erling Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Erling is an Old Norse name meaning 'nobleman' or 'heir'. It has evolved through historical forms such as Erlings and Erlingr before becoming popular in its modern form. The name embodies traits of nobility and strength, with no biblical relevance. It has seen a resurgence in popularity in Scandinavian countries, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The name Erling is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Erling has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male 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 male in West. Across generations, 'Erling' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1113th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1500th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2616th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7168th out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6678th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Erling' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Erling"
Pronunciation
/ˈɜːr.lɪŋ/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Erling is derived from the Old Norse name 'Erlingr', which is derived from 'jarl', meaning 'nobleman' or 'earl'.
Meaning
nobleman, heir
Language Evolution
Old Norse: Erlings, Old Scandinavian: Erlingr, Modern Scandinavian: Erling
Historical Usage
Erling has been used in Scandinavian countries since the Viking Age and gained popularity as a given name in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variants & Derivatives
Erland, Erlend, Erlin
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Erling is viewed as a traditional yet modern name in Scandinavian countries, often associated with strength and nobility.
Famous People
Erling Haaland, professional footballer, Erling Kagge, explorer and author
Explore More Erling Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Erling"
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 "Erling"
"Erling" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1113th of 7545 | 628 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1500th of 6773 | 390 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2616th of 7552 | 187 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7168th of 10718 | 25 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6678th of 23106 | 148 |
Regional Popularity of "Erling" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
34.32% 486th/1416 |
81.94% 1130th/1379 |
- |
76.36% 872nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
39.39% 609th/1546 |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
- |
73.11% 1131st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
55.37% 1233rd/2227 |
- | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
69.69% 3127th/4487 |
59.57% 4064th/6822 |
75.38% 4731st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Erling" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| 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 "Erling"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Erling" 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.