Erika is a feminine form of Eric, from the Old Norse name Eirikr, derived from 'ei' - 'ever' and 'rikr' 'ruler'. Danish invaders first brought the name to England . A famous bearer was Eirikr inn Rauda (Eric the Red in English), a 10th-century navigator and explorer who discovered Greenland . This was also the name of kings of Denmark , Sweden and Norway .
It also means 'heather' in Latin.