Derek Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Derek Name Meaning

Fact: The name Derek has been used in various media, including the Disney Channel show “Life With Derek” .

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A Deep Dive

Derek Overview

Meaning

People’s ruler

Gender

Boy

Origin

Germanic

Etymology

Derived from the Old German name “Theodoric,” meaning “ruler of the people.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈdɛrɪk/

Popularity

Derek has seen international use, particularly in English-speaking countries like the USA, UK, and Canada. In 2023, Derek ranked #289 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Classic, Cool, Vintage

Associated Traits

Reliable, dedicated, approachable

Name Day

December 20 (Germany)
A Deep Dive

Derek Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Derick, Derrick, Dereck, Derec, Deryck, Darek, Deric, Derrek

Common Nicknames

Derry, Rick, Deke, Dek, Rik, Ricky

Diminutives

De, Dek, Riko, Riki, Deki

Famous People

  • Derek Jeter
    (American Baseball Player)
  • Derek Jacobi
    (British Actor)
  • Derek Hough
    (American Dancer)
  • Derek Trucks
    (American Musician)
  • Derek Fisher
    (American Basketball Player)
  • Derek Walcott
    (Saint Lucian Poet)
  • Derek Prince
    (British Bible Teacher)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Derek Shepherd
    ("Grey's Anatomy," TV Series)
  • Derek Hale
    ("Teen Wolf," TV Series)
  • Derek Vinyard
    ("American History X," Film)
  • Derek Zoolander
    ("Zoolander," Film)
  • Derek Morgan
    ("Criminal Minds," TV Series)
  • Derek
    ("The Swan Princess," Animated Film)
  • Derek Wills
    ("Smash," TV Series)
  • Derek
    ("Derek," TV Series)

Places

  • Derek Jeter Field
    (Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA)
  • Derek Hines Park
    (Andover, Massachusetts, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Derek?

Derek means “ruler of the people” or “gifted ruler.” People named Derek are often seen as strong leaders, exuding confidence and charisma.

What Is the Origin of The Name Derek?

The name Derek has Germanic roots, derived from the Old High German name Theodoric, which means “people’s ruler.” It was introduced to the English-speaking world by the Normans and became popular in medieval England.

Derek Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Derek in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2982022#2712023
Top 3 Rankings#501980#501982#511983

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Derek

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023271
(+27 from 2022)
1238
(+85 from 2022)
0.06761
2022298
(+4 from 2021)
1153
(+59 from 2021)
0.06156
2021302
(+8 from 2020)
1094
(+32 from 2020)
0.05839
2020310
(-6 from 2019)
1062
(-52 from 2019)
0.05742
2019304
(-47 from 2018)
1114
(-293 from 2018)
0.05797
2018257
(-18 from 2017)
1407
(-138 from 2017)
0.07239
2017239
(-13 from 2016)
1545
(-170 from 2016)
0.07806
2016226
(-15 from 2015)
1715
(-168 from 2015)
0.08467
2015211
(-6 from 2014)
1883
(+2 from 2014)
0.09210
2014205
No change from 2013
1881
(+7 from 2013)
0.09179
2013205
(-23 from 2012)
1874
(-242 from 2012)
0.09274
2012182
(-1 from 2011)
2116
(-25 from 2011)
0.10428
2011181
(-11 from 2010)
2141
(-152 from 2010)
0.10539
2010170
(-2 from 2009)
2293
(-13 from 2009)
0.11161
2009168
(-9 from 2008)
2306
(-182 from 2008)
0.10873
2008159
(-17 from 2007)
2488
(-366 from 2007)
0.11411
2007142
(+17 from 2006)
2854
(+207 from 2006)
0.12884
2006159
(+13 from 2005)
2647
(+227 from 2005)
0.12074
2005172
(-15 from 2004)
2420
(-124 from 2004)
0.11376
2004157
(-8 from 2003)
2544
(-210 from 2003)
0.12038
2003149
(-10 from 2002)
2754
(-33 from 2002)
0.13107
2002139
(-7 from 2001)
2787
(-220 from 2001)
0.13486
2001132
(-11 from 2000)
3007
(-207 from 2000)
0.14538
2000121
(-7 from 1999)
3214
(+25 from 1999)
0.15390
1999114
(-4 from 1998)
3189
(-220 from 1998)
0.15640
1998110
(-4 from 1997)
3409
(-262 from 1997)
0.16813
1997106
(-5 from 1996)
3671
(-249 from 1996)
0.18375
1996101
(-18 from 1995)
3920
(-533 from 1995)
0.19564
199583
(-6 from 1994)
4453
(-628 from 1994)
0.22139
199477
(-10 from 1993)
5081
(-679 from 1993)
0.24927
199367
(-5 from 1992)
5760
(-533 from 1992)
0.27886
199262
(-3 from 1991)
6293
(-600 from 1991)
0.29979
199159
(-5 from 1990)
6893
(-1192 from 1990)
0.32519
199054
No change from 1989
8085
(-280 from 1989)
0.37569
198954
(-1 from 1988)
8365
(+291 from 1988)
0.39910
198853
(+1 from 1987)
8074
(-179 from 1987)
0.40324
198754
(+3 from 1986)
8253
(+1352 from 1986)
0.42319
198657
(-1 from 1985)
6901
(+241 from 1985)
0.35911
198556
(-4 from 1984)
6660
(-311 from 1984)
0.34608
198452
(-1 from 1983)
6971
(-16 from 1983)
0.37145
198351
(-1 from 1982)
6987
(-4 from 1982)
0.37492
198250
(+3 from 1981)
6991
(+510 from 1981)
0.37045
198153
(-3 from 1980)
6481
(-761 from 1980)
0.34800
198050
(+22 from 1979)
7242
(+3041 from 1979)
0.39045
197972
(+3 from 1978)
4201
(+400 from 1978)
0.23452
197875
(+9 from 1977)
3801
(+358 from 1977)
0.22246
197784
No change from 1976
3443
(+275 from 1976)
0.20142
197684
(-1 from 1975)
3168
(-20 from 1975)
0.19405
197583
(-9 from 1974)
3188
(-448 from 1974)
0.19650
197474
(-5 from 1973)
3636
(-284 from 1973)
0.22303
197369
(-2 from 1972)
3920
(-225 from 1972)
0.24293
197267
(-4 from 1971)
4145
(-522 from 1971)
0.24760
197163
(+14 from 1970)
4667
(+520 from 1970)
0.25673
197077
(+32 from 1969)
4147
(+1222 from 1969)
0.21772
1969109
(+13 from 1968)
2925
(+465 from 1968)
0.15991
1968122
(+1 from 1967)
2460
(+12 from 1967)
0.13856
1967123
(+18 from 1966)
2448
(+337 from 1966)
0.13757
1966141
(+26 from 1965)
2111
(+310 from 1965)
0.11614
1965167
(+5 from 1964)
1801
(+213 from 1964)
0.09506
1964172
(+5 from 1963)
1588
(-48 from 1963)
0.07834
1963177
(+11 from 1962)
1636
(+38 from 1962)
0.07924
1962188
(+17 from 1961)
1598
(+193 from 1961)
0.07603
1961205
(+42 from 1960)
1405
(+358 from 1960)
0.06514
1960247
(+7 from 1959)
1047
(+63 from 1959)
0.04835
1959254
(+3 from 1958)
984
(+69 from 1958)
0.04542
1958257
(+26 from 1957)
915
(+237 from 1957)
0.04246
1957283
(+16 from 1956)
678
(+64 from 1956)
0.03097
1956299
(+31 from 1955)
614
(+113 from 1955)
0.02861
1955330
(+33 from 1954)
501
(+108 from 1954)
0.02397
1954363
(+10 from 1953)
393
(+55 from 1953)
0.01899
1953373
(-10 from 1952)
338
(-4 from 1952)
0.01688
1952363
(+45 from 1951)
342
(+64 from 1951)
0.01733
1951408
(+63 from 1950)
278
(+76 from 1950)
0.01454
1950471
(+170 from 1949)
202
(+89 from 1949)
0.01111
1949641
(+221 from 1948)
113
(+50 from 1948)
0.00627
1948862
(+27 from 1947)
63
(+2 from 1947)
0.00353
1947889
(+78 from 1946)
61
(+13 from 1946)
0.00328
1946967
(+38 from 1945)
48
(+8 from 1945)
0.00291
19451005
(-56 from 1944)
40
(-6 from 1944)
0.00292
1944949
(-235 from 1943)
46
(-35 from 1943)
0.00331
1943714
(+515 from 1942)
81
(+49 from 1942)
0.00557
19421229
(+404 from 1941)
32
(+14 from 1941)
0.00227
19411633
(-425 from 1940)
18
(-13 from 1940)
0.00143
19401208
(+182 from 1939)
31
(+8 from 1939)
0.00261
19391390
(+131 from 1938)
23
(+3 from 1938)
0.00203
19381521
(+958 from 1937)
20
(+11 from 1937)
0.00176
19372479
(-1275 from 1936)
9
(-21 from 1936)
0.00082
19361204
(+1042 from 1935)
30
(+19 from 1935)
0.00282
19352246
(+146 from 1934)
11
(+1 from 1934)
0.00103
19342392
(-178 from 1933)
10
(-1 from 1933)
0.00094
19332214
(-23 from 1932)
11
(-1 from 1932)
0.00108
19322191
(-348 from 1931)
12
(-4 from 1931)
0.00112
19311843
(+335 from 1930)
16
(+3 from 1930)
0.00150
19302178
(+1382 from 1929)
13
(+7 from 1929)
0.00115
19293560
(+307 from 1924)
6
No change from 1924
0.00054
19280
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19270
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19260
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19250
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19243867
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00051
19230
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19220
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19210
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19200
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19190
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19170
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Derek

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2612021#2712022#2872023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2412021#1972022#1702023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2472021#2412022#2312023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#3412021#3302022#2582023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4212021#3812022#3392023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4032021#4532022#4112023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3842021#4852022#3052023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1932021#2082022#1542023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2742021#2462022#2702023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3392021#3722022#2672023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#5572021#5572022#3902023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2202021#2022022#1482023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3952021#5052022#4042023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4692021#3472022#5432023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#6232021#6332022#5322023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3182021#2222022#2802023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3732021#3462022#3352023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#4622021#4022022#3992023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3062021#4252022#3612023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4762021#2742022#4042023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#4032021#4582022#3652023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3052021#3162022#3352023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3602021#3982022#4982023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3632021#5372022#5792023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2662021#3712022#1732023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#5202021#3202022#2982023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5572021#6212022#4722023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3352020#3232022#5852023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5152021#4072022#5002023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3332021#4472022#4002023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2662021#1842022#1792023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3952018#3942019#4502022

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2742015#3412016#3582019

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2292021#2382022#3412023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4112021#3222022#3352023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2132013#1932014#2142016

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5522020#5642021#3462023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2022012#2962016#2542018

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1922014#1952015#2122016

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1492017#2032020#2212023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3322021#2352022#3022023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4282021#4302022#2832023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2922020#3442021#2102022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2162016#2132017#2052023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1782007#1742008#2282012

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2222013#2692014#1722015

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2572014#2272016#2112017

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2282015#2082017#1612020

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1152008#962011#1312013

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2162016#1632017#1422022

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1112004#1652009#1122012

Popularity Rankings for Derek in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#761999

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#842021#1622022#1222023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1832019#1562020#1682021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1692020#1762021#2192022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2721998

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#5522021#5092022#3432023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4902014#3552016#4762020

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3611995#3721999#3662004

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#3682020#3722021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#5292021#7322022#3972023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5882013#7362014

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#9061999#8482000#9992004

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Derek a Name for Boys or Girls?

Derek is a name commonly given to boys, owing to its origins and traditional male association.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Derek

Derek in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Derek Jeter (Baseball Player, born 1974): An American baseball player celebrated for his career with the New York Yankees and his leadership on and off the field.
  • Derek Jacobi (Actor, born 1938): A British actor known for his classical stage performances and roles in television and film.
  • Derek Hough (Dancer, born 1985): An American professional dancer and choreographer who gained fame on the TV show "Dancing with the Stars."
  • Derek Trucks (Musician, born 1979): An American guitarist and songwriter, leader of the Grammy-winning Derek Trucks Band.
  • Derek Fisher (Basketball Player, born 1974): An American basketball player and coach, recognized for his multiple NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • Derek Walcott (Poet, 1930–2017): A Saint Lucian poet and playwright awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
  • Derek Prince (Bible Teacher, 1915–2003): A British Bible teacher and author whose teachings have had a wide-reaching influence.
  • Derek Shepherd ("Grey's Anatomy," 2005 TV Series): A talented neurosurgeon known as "McDreamy" who works at Seattle Grace Hospital.
  • Derek Hale ("Teen Wolf," 2011 TV Series): A brooding werewolf who helps Scott McCall navigate his new supernatural abilities.
  • Derek Vinyard ("American History X," 1998 Film): A former neo-Nazi who tries to prevent his younger brother from following in his violent footsteps.
  • Derek Zoolander ("Zoolander," 2001 Film): A dim-witted but kind-hearted male model who uncovers a conspiracy in the fashion industry.
  • Derek Morgan ("Criminal Minds," 2005 TV Series): A dedicated FBI agent specializing in profiling serial killers.
  • Derek ("The Swan Princess," 1994 Animated Film): A prince who falls in love with Princess Odette and must save her from an evil sorcerer's curse.
  • Derek Wills ("Smash," 2012 TV Series): A charismatic but complicated director involved in the production of a Broadway musical.
  • Derek ("Derek," 2012 TV Series): A kind-hearted care worker who loves his job and the residents of the nursing home where he works.
  • St. Derek's Church (Cornwall, England): An ancient parish church located in the village of Pelynt.
  • Derek Jeter Field (Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA): A baseball field named after the famous MLB player who grew up in Kalamazoo.
  • Derek Hines Park (Andover, Massachusetts, USA): A public park dedicated to Derek Hines, a local war hero.
  • Derek Island (Nunavut, Canada): A small, uninhabited island in the Arctic Archipelago.
  • Derek Street (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia): A residential street in the suburb of Lakemba.
  • Derek Road (Singapore): A road located in the central region of Singapore, known for its residential buildings.
  • Derek Park (Liverpool, England): A public park offering recreational facilities and green spaces.
  • Derek Reservoir (Colorado, USA): A small reservoir used for irrigation and recreational fishing.

Similar Names to Derek

Sibling Names for Derek