MallowbyNames

Derek

DARE-ik · possibly 'the people's ruler' or 'gifted ruler'; of debated origin and meaning

2025 rank (boys)
#284
Babies named in 2025
1,191
Peak popularity
1987
2025 frequency
1 in 1,434 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 1988

Declining since 1988, #284 for boys today.

Popularity of Derek since 1924

Babies named Derek per year in U.S. Social Security records.

2.8k5.6k8.4k19602000Most births 1989Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1920s12
1930s155
1940s533
1950s5,245
1960s19,021
1970s38,310
1980s72,923
1990s50,756
2000s27,025
2010s17,978
2020s7,102

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few 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

Variants: Derrick, Deryck, Dereck

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.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

D is for Derek, our favorite little boy.

D is for Derek…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Derek's letter becomes Derek's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Derek's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Derek mean?
Derek likely means 'the people's ruler' or 'gifted ruler', from the Old German elements for 'people' and 'ruler'.
How popular is the name Derek currently?
In 2025, Derek ranked 284th in the United States, with about 1 in 1,434 boys given the name.
Is Derek a boy's name or a girl's name?
Derek is almost exclusively used as a boy's name.