Eric and Alan were 20th century staples. Does this old school smoosh work in the 21st?
Thanks to Charlotte Vera for suggesting Alaric as Name of the Day.
Alaric is Goth. Not the dark eyeliner, Siouxie Sioux Goth. Nope, we’re talking the havoc-making, Rome-sacking Visigoths.
Alaric I ruled the Visigoths early in the fifth century, establishing a new royal line and invading the Eternal City in 410. He was a big deal back then, and you’ll find references to him in art and literature through the ages.
Alaric II came along a few decades later, in 485. In between the two Alarics, Gesalec, Sigarec, Wallia and Thorismund held the throne, among others. Your average Visigoth monarch’s moniker would not wear terribly well circa 2009.
But Alaric is the exception. He sounds like a three-syllable combo platter made up of Eric and Alan, but he’s actually from the Germanic elements ala – all and ric – ruler, or something like “king of all.” It’s a fitting name for the founder of a dynasty.
Besides the Visigoths, there was a legendary king of Sweden called Alrek 0r Alrekr, and often Anglicized as Alaric.
While Alaric has never appeared in the US Top 1000, you’ll find Alaric in the census records. The Latin form of the name – Alaricus – pops up in medieval records, too, suggesting that he’s been in occasional use for generations.
But most modern parents probably discover Alaric in the pages of a book. If not history, then fiction:
- Katherine Kountz used Alaric for a character in her long-running Deryni fantasy series – he’s a duke, and a good egg;
- Stephen King used it for Roland‘s grandfather in his Dark Towers series;
- One of Anthony Trollope’s Three Clerks was Alaric Tudor;
- PG Wodehouse, best known for his Jeeves & Wooster series, also wrote about the inhabitants of Blandings Castle. The elderly, grouchy Duke of Dunstable is a frequent visitor – and wears the name Alaric.
The British Navy used Alaric for a submarine late in World War II, and at least one Alaric has served the US military with distinction – back during the Civil War, Union Army officer Alaric Chapin was awarded the medal of honor.
It’s difficult to decide if Alaric is over the top in 2009. Gavin and Tristan are Top 100 picks. Boys answer to Sebastian and Julian. Romeo ranked #466 and Orlando #419.
Perhaps the best way to describe Alaric is from the title of one of my favorite user-created lists at Nameberry: My Braver Alter-Ego Would Totally Use These. The list groups Alaric with other gems like Horatio, Junia and Crispin – quirky and stylish, but just a bit less accessible than almost mainstream choices like Asher.
Alaric offers a few nicknames – Al, Rick and Aric are the obvious three. If those don’t thrill you, proceed with caution. While more and more parents use – and prefer that others use – their child’s full name, there’s no guarantee what will happen when your son hits middle school. Or tuck Alaric in the middle spot, where he’d be a good substitute for Alexander.
Then again, what kid wouldn’t be delighted to learn that he was named after a barbarian king?
Cristina says
October 1, 2012 at 12:47 AMI can’t read the full post? Only the first sentence. Just wondering if it’s going to get revived.
appellationmountain says
October 1, 2012 at 2:00 AMIt’s fixed, Cristina. You can read it now.
Charlotte Vera says
October 1, 2012 at 7:33 AMHooray!
britny says
June 19, 2012 at 2:13 AMwe named our son Alaric. We decided to put the emphasis on the middle syllable, but dont get frustrated when people say it wrong. He’s only 3 months old and already it is a lot to explain so i hope that he will not be upset with his name as he grows up. Overall, we’re really happy with this name and usually people that turn their nose up to it initially come around when they hear that it’s not made up and has awesome history.
Sebastiane says
November 24, 2009 at 6:37 PMI really like this. Always have, he is a nice alternative to Eric.
Christina Fonseca says
November 21, 2009 at 11:06 PMAlaric rocks! Great name and it’s even better that he won’t bump into another one every time he turns around.
jillian says
November 20, 2009 at 6:33 PMa little too “pass the mead” for me; sounds more emo than marauder to my ear. Atilla, on the other hand, is totally bad ass.
appellationmountain says
November 20, 2009 at 5:15 PMEngloutie, that makes sense – and I’m certainly influenced by having a father and a brother called Eric and a friend named Aric. (As it happens, I work with someone named Arica, too!)
With any rare name, I do think parents get the luxury of choosing – and the burden of explaining. 🙂
engloutie says
November 20, 2009 at 4:58 PMPS on pronunciation…
I’m no authority, but my linguistics undergraduate degree suggests to me that AL-ar-ic is the older pronunciation. It’s less likely that the middle syllable would be elided in the alternate forms Alrek & Alrekr if that were the syllable to receive primary emphasis. That would also follow the German pattern of emphasis (think Alderich). Then again, I could be totally wrong!
engloutie says
November 20, 2009 at 4:51 PMI’m in love with this name too! The historical connection is so masculine and just plain cool, that I think it balances out his softer sounds. It even sounds good with our crazy Germanic/Scandinavian (different sources claim different lineage) last name, so I’d use it in a heartbeat. Thanks for profiling it today!
appellationmountain says
November 20, 2009 at 4:42 PMYou know, since we call our son Aly you would think I’d have thought of that, Charlotte! D’oh. As a boy’s nickname, Aly/Ali rocks.
I went to school with an Aric – fabulous guy. Not sure why he got the A- spelling instead of Eric, but his older brother is Aaron. (And their younger brother is Adam.)
I looked at the pronunciation for a while before deciding I just didn’t have enough info to say anything intelligent about it – though personally, I put the emphasis on the middle syllable. Which makes me think that Lars could be a nickname, too …
And yes, Bewildertrix – the Barbarian king bit is just beyond cool. You’d think it would appeal to fathers.
Charlotte Vera says
November 20, 2009 at 4:10 PMI’m in love with this name — is it any wonder I suggested it? Sadly, my husband doesn’t seem to be feeling the love as much as I am. Personally, I prefer Ali as a nickname.
I’d like to add that I’ve heard this name pronounced two different ways: “AL-uh-rik” and “a-LAHR-ik”. I’m not sure which I prefer.
Bewildertrix says
November 20, 2009 at 3:16 PMI read the Dark Tower series and I missed that. D’oh. It’s a lovely name and I really have no explanation as to why it’s no longer an option for me. I haven’t thought about it in a long, long time.
Barbarian king aside (how cool is that?) I also find it endearing as it reminds me of ALAn RICickman *lust*. It’s like a contraction of his name.
As far as Visigoth names are concerned, Reccared was another one I liked.