Declining since 1988, #284 for boys today.
Popularity of Derek since 1924
Babies named Derek per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 155 |
| 1940s | 533 |
| 1950s | 5,245 |
| 1960s | 19,021 |
| 1970s | 38,310 |
| 1980s | 72,923 |
| 1990s | 50,756 |
| 2000s | 27,025 |
| 2010s | 17,978 |
| 2020s | 7,102 |
Meaning & origin
Derek entered U.S. records in 1924, building toward a peak in 1987 when it ranked highest in popularity. Since 1988, its usage has been in steady decline, falling to rank 284 in 2025 with approximately 1 in 1,434 boys receiving the name. Its strongest popularity has historically centered in the Northeast, with top states including Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey. The trajectory reflects a typical pattern for mid-20th century favorites, now less common but still familiar.
Derek is an English form of the Old German name Theodoric, derived from the elements 'theudo' meaning 'people' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'power'. The name was introduced to Britain by the Normans in the form Dederick, and later evolved into Derek. It has been used in England since the Middle Ages but gained broader popularity in the 20th century.
Where Derek is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Derek” around the world
Where Derek lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
Quebec
13
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Derry, Rick, D
Sibling names for Derek
Names that share Derek's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lindsay, Jennifer, Heather, Ashley, Lauren, Candace, Carissa, Cassie, Julia, Kendra, Kenya, Krista, Lacey, Marissa, Roxanne, Taryn, Andra, Ashlie, Carisa, Danelle, Danette, Deena, Desirae, Desire, Dionna, Dionne, Elyse, Jalisa, Janel, Jena, Jenessa, Jessenia, Kaitlynn, Kandace, Karyn, Kasandra, Kasie, Keosha, Maranda, Melanee, Patrina, Tamika, Tera, Tiffanie, Trista, Tyra, Aleisha, Allisa, Amberlee, Angelyn, Arica, Audrea, Breeann, Brittaney, Brittny, Candra, Corissa, Crista, Dawne, Dede, Delana, Delisa, Denae, Devona, Devonna, Donielle, Jaymi, Jenee, Jenell, Jenica, Jenine, Jesseca, Kandra, Karisa, Katrena, Keirsten, Keren, Kindra, Krysten, Kyndra, Kyrstin, Ladawn, Lauran, Leighanne, Lyndee, Lyndsay, Lyndsie, Lynelle, Malorie, Marrissa, Melyssa, Petrina, Randa, Sharae, Tammara, Tandra, Tashina, Tesha, Trena, Zuleyka, Aarika, Adrea, Alacia, Alanda, Alese, Allyse, Andrena, Annissa, Aricka, Belicia, Breaunna, Calyn, Cammi, Carlissa, Carrisa, Carrissa, Casaundra, Channell, Charelle, Chera, Chrissa, Christia, Chrysta, Cortnie, Courteney, Crystle, Dalinda, Danay, Danella, Danessa, Dannica, Dannika, Darrielle, Deadra, Dearra, Deatra, Dedria, Delissa, Denee, Denelle, Denika, Deona, Dereka, Desaree, Donyelle, Elesha, Ericca, Ericia, Erikka, Jalena, Janissa, Jaretzy, Jelisa, Jelissa, Jenea, Jennessa, Jericka, Jocelynne, Jonica, Jordanna, Jordanne, Kaaren, Kabrina, Kalene, Kalissa, Kamie, Karalee, Karee, Karianne, Karlynn, Karrah, Karyssa, Katera, Kathya, Kendrah, Kendrea, Kerissa, Kersten, Kevina, Kiandra, Kierston, Kimberlin, Korri, Korrie, Korrin, Korrine, Krissa, Krystan, Krystel, Kurstin, Kymberli, Landra, Lareen, Laren, Larinda, Laurissa, Leandrea, Lenee, Leondra, Leshia, Letricia, Linzi, Lynsi, Lynsie, Malyssa, Maressa, Marlisa, Maurica, Maurissa, Melaina, Meleny, Melessa, Merisa, Nashay, Natarsha, Nikkie, Nikkita, Nycole, Philicia, Raeleen, Raychelle, Rayelle, Ronika, Shaena, Shalane, Shaleen, Shalina, Sharday, Sharina, Sharlee, Sharona, Shaundra, Shawndra, Sherina, Sherra, Sherria, Tameria, Tammra, Tannia, Telisa, Terena, Terika, Terina, Terisa, Tiffeny, Tiffney, Trecia, Trenna, Trisa, Tristina, Wendee, Adrieanna, Aliscia, Allisha, Brionne, Brittane, Cabrina, Caralynn, Carlea, Caryssa, Charisa, Chelle, Chenell, Cherisse, Cindel, Coretta, Corianna, Daleah, Daneka, Danne, Darah, Darthy, Dawnita, Delanna, Denea, Denna, Derica, Deserea, Detria, Detrice, Devonda, Donae, Drina, Elania, Ericha, Errica, Esbeidy, Genae, Jamielyn, Jenisha, Jennel, Jilliann, Jillianne, Jodelle, Jonee, Jonika, Junelle, Kamela, Kandyce, Karelyn, Karem, Karielle, Karinne, Karisha, Karlea, Karlena, Karrina, Karrissa, Katerra, Keenya, Ketra, Kimela, Kimra, Korena, Korissa, Krisa, Krisandra, Laranda, Laressa, Leiann, Letia, Loriel, Maurisa, Melane, Melicia, Mickala, Mishell, Nickol, Niketa, Renessa, Rickelle, Salinda, Samanda, Shallon, Sheresa, Sierah, Symantha, Takera, Tamea, Taralynn, Taressa, Tarissa, Telena, Teralyn, Terissa, Timera, Tiphany, Tonica, Travia, Trevia, Tristine, Turkessa, Airika, Cambrea, Cherae, Dalicia, Danicka, Darianne, Ilisa, Jeronica, Merin, Shimika, Yanett, Alysen, Amantha, Amberlea, Anedra, Aylssa, Belenda, Brandii, Brandilynn, Brandolyn, Brenee, Breuna, Brittanya, Carena, Carleena, Cartina, Cassandr, Chandrea, Chantrell, Charda, Cheridan, Chrystle, Corisa, Cyndel, Dalissa, Danique, Darsi, Deara, Debany, Deerica, Dejana, Dejane, Demara, Denessa, Denina, Derriana, Desira, Devony, Eleisha, Erikah, Errika, Eryca, Ferrin, Gelisa, Gerica, Hilliary, Jacole, Jacqueli, Jaline, Jannae, Jarica, Jaylyne, Jenesa, Jenisa, Jesseka, Jesselle, Jillana, Jinelle, Jorryn, Justise, Karista, Kasarah, Keiandra, Keidra, Kelicia, Kenora, Kerianna, Ketrina, Kimbria, Kimla, Kimyata, Leilene, Lynsay, Lynze, Machel, Mallisa, Marenda, Marisah, Melainie, Mercadez, Meridee, Merranda, Merrisa, Monik, Mylisa, Nelissa, Relena, Rennae, Rickell, Ronnika, Shannelle, Sharisa, Shatarra, Shawnelle, Shelaine, Shelise, Stesha, Taccara, Tamantha, Tameia, Tamerra, Tashianna, Teandra, Telissa, Tenise, Tephanie, Tericka, Terralyn, Trissa, Tyera, Unika, Valissa, Whittany, Yanelle, Yeraldine
Brothers: Kevin, Brian, Scott, Eric, Sean, Bradley, Brandon, Dustin, Erick, Jarrett, Justin, Kyle, Lance, Trey, Troy, Aric, Brenton, Bret, Bryant, Cordell, Damion, Damone, Danell, Daren, Darion, Daron, Darrick, Derik, Dustan, Jarett, Jaron, Jarrod, Jarvis, Jerod, Jerrod, Kelvin, Kraig, Kurtis, Tevin, Tyren, Arnell, Bayron, Damond, Danyel, Darick, Darrian, Darris, Daryn, Daulton, Dawayne, Dereon, Jaret, Jarid, Jarrad, Jarret, Jasen, Jerrick, Jerron, Kedrick, Kenrick, Kordell, Markel, Mervyn, Terrel, Terron, Trevis, Tyrek, Tyrel, Tyrin, Andrell, Andrick, Arick, Bretton, Daman, Dannon, Danzel, Daran, Dareon, Dasan, Davone, Dayron, Delray, Derell, Derion, Devron, Dewon, Duston, Erek, Gerrick, Gerrod, Jadrian, Jarel, Jarrid, Jaryd, Jeric, Jerick, Jerid, Jerren, Jerret, Jerrid, Jeter, Kedric, Keldrick, Kendale, Kenderick, Kendon, Kenric, Khris, Koran, Nomar, Quintrell, Roddrick, Rodric, Stevin, Teran, Terrick, Tyreik, Tyric, Tyronne, Zackory, Zedrick, Andriel, Arlind, Chaddrick, Damonie, Danis, Danta, Darelle, Darryle, Deano, Deeric, Deldrick, Deone, Derico, Derron, Desmin, Devell, Devery, Devonn, Dewight, Donye, Dyon, Erice, Gerod, Gerron, Jaree, Jeret, Jerett, Kamare, Kendre, Kendrik, Kurtiss, Marik, Merrik, Montel, Teddrick, Terek, Terris, Travas, Zerek, Bradrick, Cordaryl, Meric, Teren, Aarik, Adrick, Beric, Daric, Darrek, Darric, Deddrick, Demarr, Denahi, Deran, Deshannon, Duriel, Garek, Hilery, Jarrette, Jerame, Jerik, Jonta, Jontay, Jontue, Karell, Keddrick, Kedron, Kelwin, Kendriel, Kordel, Kyrel, Markale, Mekel, Rodderick, Terel, Terik, Trelon, Tyrick, Zeric, Zerick, Zerrick
Names like Derek
Names whose popularity has moved with Derek's over the last 50 years.

