Derek Boy
Origin(s)
English; Irish
Meaning
English: ruler; Irish: gifted
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Derek is derived from the Old German name Theodoric, which means 'ruler of the people.' It gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century. In Ireland, it is often associated with the Gaelic name Diarmaid, which means 'free man.' The name has been used in various cultural contexts, including literature and film.
Trend Summary
Derek experienced peak popularity in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States.
Similar Names
Darren, Dorian, Damon, Dale, Davis, Desmond
Variants
- Derrek
- Derrick
International Variants
- Derek (English)
- Derrick (English)
Famous people named Derek
Derek Jeter is a former professional baseball player known for his career with the New York Yankees.
Derek Hough is a professional dancer and choreographer, recognized for his work on 'Dancing with the Stars.'.
Derek Jacobi is a renowned English actor known for his performances in theater and television.
Derek Trucks is an American guitarist and member of the Allman Brothers Band.
Fictional characters named Derek
Derek Morgan is a character in the TV series 'Criminal Minds,' known for his role as a skilled FBI agent.
Derek Hale is a character in the TV series 'Teen Wolf,' portrayed as a werewolf with a complex backstory.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Derek was first seen in the United States in 1924. Derek has ranked as high as #93 nationally which occurred in 1989 and has been most popular in Texas, California, New York, Florida, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Derek has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Derek (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 192 | |
| CA | 143 | |
| NY | 108 | |
| FL | 103 | |
| NC | 57 | |
| PA | 49 | |
| VA | 47 | |
| GA | 41 | |
| OH | 39 | |
| IL | 37 | |
| TN | 34 | |
| MD | 30 | |
| MA | 28 | |
| IN | 26 | |
| WI | 23 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1924 | 6 |
| 1929 | 6 |
| 1930 | 13 |
| 1931 | 16 |
| 1932 | 12 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1934 | 10 |
| 1935 | 11 |
| 1936 | 30 |
| 1937 | 9 |
| 1938 | 20 |
| 1939 | 23 |
| 1940 | 31 |
| 1941 | 18 |
| 1942 | 32 |
| 1943 | 81 |
| 1944 | 46 |
| 1945 | 40 |
| 1946 | 48 |
| 1947 | 61 |
| 1948 | 63 |
| 1949 | 113 |
| 1950 | 202 |
| 1951 | 278 |
| 1952 | 342 |
| 1953 | 338 |
| 1954 | 393 |
| 1955 | 501 |
| 1956 | 614 |
| 1957 | 677 |
| 1958 | 917 |
| 1959 | 984 |
| 1960 | 1,047 |
| 1961 | 1,405 |
| 1962 | 1,600 |
| 1963 | 1,636 |
| 1964 | 1,588 |
| 1965 | 1,801 |
| 1966 | 2,111 |
| 1967 | 2,447 |
| 1968 | 2,460 |
| 1969 | 2,925 |
| 1970 | 4,147 |
| 1971 | 4,667 |
| 1972 | 4,146 |
| 1973 | 3,920 |
| 1974 | 3,636 |
| 1975 | 3,186 |
| 1976 | 3,168 |
| 1977 | 3,442 |
| 1978 | 3,801 |
| 1979 | 4,201 |
| 1980 | 7,241 |
| 1981 | 6,481 |
| 1982 | 6,991 |
| 1983 | 6,988 |
| 1984 | 6,972 |
| 1985 | 6,661 |
| 1986 | 6,901 |
| 1987 | 8,253 |
| 1988 | 8,074 |
| 1989 | 8,365 |
| 1990 | 8,083 |
| 1991 | 6,893 |
| 1992 | 6,293 |
| 1993 | 5,761 |
| 1994 | 5,081 |
| 1995 | 4,452 |
| 1996 | 3,920 |
| 1997 | 3,671 |
| 1998 | 3,409 |
| 1999 | 3,190 |
| 2000 | 3,214 |
| 2001 | 3,007 |
| 2002 | 2,787 |
| 2003 | 2,754 |
| 2004 | 2,544 |
| 2005 | 2,420 |
| 2006 | 2,647 |
| 2007 | 2,854 |
| 2008 | 2,488 |
| 2009 | 2,306 |
| 2010 | 2,293 |
| 2011 | 2,141 |
| 2012 | 2,116 |
| 2013 | 1,874 |
| 2014 | 1,881 |
| 2015 | 1,883 |
| 2016 | 1,715 |
| 2017 | 1,546 |
| 2018 | 1,408 |
| 2019 | 1,115 |
| 2020 | 1,063 |
| 2021 | 1,094 |
| 2022 | 1,155 |
| 2023 | 1,240 |
| 2024 | 1,355 |