Holding steady.
Popularity of Derward since 1915
Babies named Derward per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 28 |
| 1920s | 52 |
| 1930s | 24 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Derward is a rare given name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1915, with its popularity peaking in 1921 during a period when traditional occupational surnames were often adapted as first names. While it never reached widespread use, its highest frequency occurred in the 1920s. In 2025, the name remains extremely uncommon, with no recorded usage in recent decades. The name's trajectory has been stable at near-zero levels since the mid-20th century. Derward is historically a variant of Durward, a Scottish-derived surname for a gatekeeper, reflecting the turn-of-the-century fashion for using surname-names with a sturdy, professional connotation.
Derward appears to be a variant of the English surname Durward, which derives from Middle English 'durward' meaning 'door guard' or 'gatekeeper'. The name was historically used as an occupational surname for a person who guarded the entrance to a manor or castle. As a given name, Derward emerged in the early 20th century, likely as a respelling or regional variant of the more common Durward. Its usage declined after the 1920s.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Durward
Sibling names for Derward
Names that share Derward's style, for a brother or sister.
