Derek
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: People Ruler; Ruler
Background: The name Derek originates from the Old High German name Theodoric, meaning 'people ruler.' It was later adopted into English and has maintained its association with leadership and nobility.
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#165
Total births
238,769
Most popular decade
1980s
(220,155 births)
10-year trend
↓ Falling (-53 ranks)
Years in Top 100
26
First recorded year
1924
Gender usage
99.6% male
0.4% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1924
- First year births
- 6
- First year rank
- #3,867
- Peak year
- 1989
- Peak year births
- 8,365
- Peak rank
- #54
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 1,355
- Recent rank
- #258
Female
- First year
- 1956
- First year births
- 5
- First year rank
- #5,953
- Peak year
- 1987
- Peak year births
- 57
- Peak rank
- #1,962
- Most recent year
- 2011
- Recent year births
- 5
- Recent rank
- #16,763
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).