No. It's too swedish for a frenchman and too ordinary for someone so special. (Someone may think odrindary/special combo works but I don't.) But I've almost got used to it by now. (It's been five years now that I've been a fan. And since I'm still only almost used to it, you can tell how much I think it doesn't fit him.) Even so, I've respected the canon and never renamed him, even though I write phan phics on the ALW version. Who the name fits even less than the original... ... ...Damn I need my head examned!

Since I found out the origin/meaning of that name I've liked the name for the character a bit, but I still don't think it fits/suits him as it is.

...could you explain your logic please?

"Since I found out the origin/meaning of that name I've liked the name for the character a bit, but I still don't think it fits/suits him as it is."

^I assume you mean that? The name meaning is "ever-ruler" which I think fits the character well for the fandom means, but not in his own world inside the story. That's why I like it for the character but don't think it fits him.

Actually, I would like to reference a very good article which makes reference to Erik's statement in the novel that he received his name "by chance" and that he had happened to travel in India. Most likely when he was a younger man.
"The Phantom’s name of Erik is reminiscent of Erlik Khan, a demonic Mongolian
god. Robert E. Howard frequently utilized Erlik Khan in many of his stories. In “The
Daughter of Erlik Khan” (Top-Notch, December 1934), Howard had an American
adventurer, Francis Xavier Gordon, visiting Yolgan, a hidden city of Erlik worshippers.
Yolgan was located in British India’s neighbor, Afghanistan. The story was reprinted in
3
The Lost Valley of Iksander (1974). “The House of Om,” Howard’s outline for a nevercompleted
short story (5), professed that Thuggee is an offshoot of Erlik worship.
During his sojourn among the Thugs, the Phantom could have uncovered legends
about Yolgan. Determined to visit the city in order to examine its architecture, he
departed for Afghanistan. Upon arriving in Yolgan, the Phantom discovered that his
grotesque appearance compelled the city’s inhabitants to proclaim him an avatar of Erlik
Khan. Misinterpreting the cries of “Erlik,” the Phantom adopted the alias of “Erik.” "
Also, there is the idea that although Erik was born in Normandy, his family may have immigrated to France from more northern areas.

I also believe that the name Erik as meaning "ever-ruler" is rather adept to his role in the novel. He 'ruled' the opera. Especially the lower cellars. I believe Christine even refers to them as his kingdom in certain translations of the novel while she's giving Raoul tours of some of the upper reaches.
Therefore, I feel that the name suits him as well as any other would.

...nevermind Phantomess' comment pwns mine.

I don't know what I'd named him. Haven't bothered to think because I've genuinenly wanted to respect the canon even so.

EDIT:// And the part 'ruler' sure fits him in-story, but 'ever-ruler'... And in the end just because the name's meaning fits the character, doesn't change that the name itself doesn't, in my opinion. (:

I've known him as Erik for a very, very long time. So at this point I simply can't imagine him being called anything else. Think about...oh, I don't know, say your best friend. Do you ever stop to think about whether or not you think their name 'fits' them? Probably not. You're simply used to it. You've probably known them for a long time, and calling them by anything else (apart from a nickname, perhaps) would seem strange. Maybe even a bit wrong.
That's about how I feel about Erik. It's not anything I really dwell on because that's his name, and that's all there is to it.
I'm curious if you ever stop to ponder whether Raoul suits that character?

Eh. I forgot what Raoul means. But I like it. It's fun to say and actually kind of pretty if you say it slowly. Raouuuul. Uhm. *goes back to bed*

Yes, I love it for him :-)

i agree with Phantomess, you have a very good point there

I'm with Phantomess and I actually really like the sound of the name. I've always really liked it and he obviously likes it XD otherwise he wouldn't let people call him that.

Phantomess;

No, I haven't ever stopped to ponder whether Raoul's name suits him, But now that I do; yes I think it suits him. I don't remember the name's meaning but that has never been significant to me in this kind of a matter. Only the sound of the name. In Raoul's case the name sounds french, gentle and nice.

And FYI, everyone - now three years later I have completely got used to Erik's name and I either, can not imagine him going by any other name anymore. I'll still keep my original pick, 'cause this doesn't bring me around to actually feel the name suits him. It's just simply his name.