Derek
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning ruler of the people.
How Derek has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #211 |
| 2016 | #226 |
| 2017 | #239 |
| 2018 | #257 |
| 2019 | #304 |
| 2020 | #310 |
| 2021 | #303 |
| 2022 | #298 |
| 2023 | #271 |
| 2024 | #258 |
| 2025 | #284 |
Derek by the numbers
In 2025, 15 babies in England and Wales were named Derek. In the US, 1,540 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given far more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 8,362 babies in 1989, so it is a 1980s name that has since fallen a long way.
At its height, in 1980, about 1 in 260 American boys born that year was called Derek.
Names that come from Derek
Forms of Derek in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Derek. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Dereckruler of the people; variant spelling of Derek145 in the US (2017)
- Derikgifted ruler; variant of Derek25 in the US (2017)
- Darekdear ruler; a form of Derek17 in the US (2017)
- Derrekruler of the people; a form of Derek12 in the US (2017)
- Derickruler of the people; a form of Derek166 in the US (2017)
- Devendescendant of Damhán; fawn-like; a spelling variant of Devin89 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Derek
Names that are said the same way as Derek, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Derrickruler of the people; a form of Derek694 in the US (2017)
- Dericruler of the people; form of Derrick22 in the US (2017)
- Deryckruler of the people; a form of derek9 in the US (2017)
- Derreckruler of the people; a form of Derek8 in the US (2017)
- Derrikruler of the people; a form of Derek8 in the US (2017)
- Derricruler of the people; form of derek5 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a king or ruler
Like Derek, each of these has a king or ruler in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Henryruler of the home2,295 in England and Wales (2025)
- Averyruler of the elves10,365 in the US (2017)
- Ryanlittle king; descendent of rian8,422 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
- Arthurbear; the legendary king3,211 in England and Wales (2025)
- Reaganlittle king3,211 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Derek
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