Derek
Derek is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Ruler of the people.
Origin and history
Derek is an English name derived from the Low German name Theodoric. It became popular in the English-speaking world in the mid-20th century. The name has a strong, classic feel and remains well-established in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
239,060 babies in the United States have been named Derek since 1880. It ranks #165 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #285.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.2 %)
- TX (6.5 %)
- NY (6.5 %)
- PA (4.6 %)
- MI (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 12 |
| 1930-1940 | 155 |
| 1940-1950 | 533 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,245 |
| 1960-1970 | 19,021 |
| 1970-1980 | 38,310 |
| 1980-1990 | 72,923 |
| 1990-2000 | 50,756 |
| 2000-2010 | 27,025 |
| 2010-2019 | 17,978 |
| 2020-2029 | 7,102 |
Famous people named Derek
- Derek Jeter: Baseball Player, Executive
- Derek Jacobi: Actor, Director
- Derek Hough: Dancer, Choreographer
Nicknames
Del, Rick
Fun facts
- Derek evolved as a Low German and Dutch short form of the ancient Germanic name Theodoric.
- The name was introduced to England in the Middle Ages by Flemish weavers who settled there.