NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Eri

A feminine Japanese name meaning "protector" or "blessed protector".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Eri is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Eri popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 9 births.

This profile covers 31 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 44% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 31 living people in the UK are called Eri. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Eri ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 9 girls were registered as Eri.
  • About 31 living people in the UK are estimated to have Eri as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 83.8% of Eri registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4843

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2022

9 births

Estimated living

31

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Eri

In England and Wales birth records, Eri has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 16.2% of registrations are for boys and 83.8% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

16% boys
84% girls
Boys6 (16.2%)Girls31 (83.8%)

Eri registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,225 in 2002
  • 3 boys registered in 2002
  • Peak: 2000 (3 births)

Eri registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,843 in 2024
  • 4 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2022 (9 births)

Meaning

What does Eri mean?

The given name Eri has its origins in the Japanese language. It is a unisex name that has been in use for centuries, with the earliest recorded examples dating back to the 8th century CE.

The name Eri is derived from the Japanese word "eri," which means "collar" or "lapel." This etymological connection suggests that the name may have been used to describe someone who worked in the textile industry or with clothing.

In ancient Japanese literature, the name Eri appears in several historical texts and records. One notable example is the "Kojiki," a collection of myths and historical accounts from the 8th century CE, which mentions a character named Eri-hime, a princess from the Yamato period.

Throughout Japanese history, several notable individuals have borne the name Eri. These include Eri Musha (1896-1977), a renowned Japanese painter and printmaker, and Eri Yoshida (born 1991), a Japanese professional baseball player who made history as the first woman to play in a professional men's baseball league.

Another notable Eri was Eri Hotta (1941-2023), a Japanese politician and diplomat who served as the Japanese Ambassador to the Netherlands and as a member of the House of Representatives.

In the realm of entertainment, Eri Fukatsu (born 1985) is a Japanese actress and model, while Eri Ishida (born 1980) is a popular Japanese voice actress known for her work in anime and video games.

Eri Ninamiya (born 1992) is a Japanese swimmer who has represented her country in several international competitions, including the Olympic Games.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have carried the name Eri throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and significance in Japanese culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Eri over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Eri in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Eri, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02579199620102024

Decades

Eri by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Eri was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4336 16 3
2000s #4137 3 1
1990s #3367 12 3

Related

Names similar to Eri

FAQ

Eri: questions and answers

How popular is the name Eri in the UK right now?

In 2024, Eri was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Eri most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 9 babies registered as Eri in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Eri?

A feminine Japanese name meaning "protector" or "blessed protector".

How many people are called Eri in the UK?

A total of 31 babies have been registered as Eri across the 7 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.