Declining since 1985, #4,707 for boys today.
Popularity of Dirk since 1918
Babies named Dirk per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 71 |
| 1930s | 188 |
| 1940s | 369 |
| 1950s | 2,688 |
| 1960s | 3,310 |
| 1970s | 1,796 |
| 1980s | 1,156 |
| 1990s | 581 |
| 2000s | 395 |
| 2010s | 279 |
| 2020s | 116 |
Meaning & origin
Dirk is a Dutch and German name with a long history, derived from the Old High German Theodoric, meaning 'ruler of the people'. In the United States, the name first appeared on record in 1918 and reached its peak rank in 1954. Since 1985, its usage has been in steady decline, and by 2025 it ranked 4707, with only about 1 in 81,337 newborns receiving the name. Despite its low current frequency, Dirk retains a strong, no-nonsense image, aided by its association with the actor Dirk Bogarde. The name is more common in the Netherlands and Germany than in English-speaking countries.
Dirk is a Dutch and German short form of Diederik, which itself derives from the Old High German name Theodoric, composed of the elements 'theudo' (people) and 'rihhi' (ruler). The name thus means 'ruler of the people'. It was borne by several medieval rulers and saints, including the Counts of Holland. In the English-speaking world, Dirk gained some popularity in the 20th century, partly due to actor Dirk Bogarde.
Where Dirk 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.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Dirk
Names that share Dirk's style, for a brother or sister.
