Derek Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Derek is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Derek?
Derek is spelled D-E-R-E-K. The name has 5 letters.
Derek at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Derek is commonly understood to mean “ruler of the people”, derived from Germanic elements.
- Origin
- Derek is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German name Theodoric, which was adapted into various European languages.
- Pronunciation
- DERR-ik · 2 syllables
Derek Popularity in 2025
Rank#284
Recorded Births1,191
- Boys usage fell 26 places to #284 and recorded 166 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Derek Mean?
Derek is commonly understood to mean “ruler of the people”, derived from Germanic elements.
Origin: Derek is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German name Theodoric, which was adapted into various European languages.
How Do You Pronounce Derek?
PronunciationDERR-ik
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Derek?
- History
- The name Derek has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages and continues to be used in the modern era.
Derek Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2005 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 1,191 | #284 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,357 | #258 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,240 | #273 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,156 | #297 |
| 2021 | Boys | 1,095 | #302 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,063 | #309 |
| 2019 | Boys | 1,115 | #304 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,409 | #256 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,546 | #239 |
| 2016 | Boys | 1,716 | #226 |
| 2015 | Boys | 1,885 | #211 |
| 2014 | Boys | 1,881 | #205 |
| 2013 | Boys | 1,875 | #205 |
| 2012 | Boys | 2,116 | #182 |
| 2011 | Girls | 5 | #16,764 |
| 2011 | Boys | 2,142 | #181 |
| 2010 | Girls | 6 | #14,959 |
| 2010 | Boys | 2,293 | #170 |
| 2009 | Boys | 2,309 | #168 |
| 2008 | Boys | 2,488 | #159 |
| 2007 | Boys | 2,854 | #142 |
| 2006 | Boys | 2,647 | #159 |
| 2005 | Girls | 10 | #10,128 |
| 2005 | Boys | 2,420 | #172 |
When Was Derek Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1989 · Boys
8,365 recorded births
National rank #54
1987 · Boys
8,253 recorded births
National rank #54
1990 · Boys
8,083 recorded births
National rank #54
1988 · Boys
8,073 recorded births
National rank #53
Where Derek Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| RI | #177 | 6 |
| NY | #181 | 108 |
| NJ | #199 | 49 |
| FL | #209 | 103 |
| CT | #210 | 16 |
| MD | #214 | 27 |
| TX | #228 | 173 |
| SC | #233 | 24 |