Dirk Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationDURK / /dɪrk/Dutch; German
Meaning
Dutch: strong; German: ruler
Historical & Cultural Background
Dirk is a name of Dutch and German origin, commonly used in the Netherlands and Germany. It is derived from the Old High German name Theodoric, which means 'ruler of the people.' The name has been popular in various forms throughout history, particularly in medieval Europe. Dirk has also been associated with various historical figures and has maintained a steady presence in modern naming trends.
Trend Summary
Dirk has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable decline since the mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Dirkko
International Variants
- Derk (Dutch)
- Dierk (German)
Famous people named Dirk
Dirk Bogarde was a British actor and novelist known for his roles in films such as 'Death in Venice.'.
Dirk Nowitzki is a retired German professional basketball player who played for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.
Dirk Gently is a fictional character created by Douglas Adams in the 'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency' series.
Dirk Kuyt is a retired Dutch footballer who played for clubs like Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.
Fictional characters named Dirk
Dirk Gently is the protagonist in Douglas Adams' 'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency,' known for his unconventional detective methods.
Dirk Pitt is a character in the adventure novels by Clive Cussler, known for his explorations and treasure hunting.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Dirk was first seen in the United States in 1918. Dirk has ranked as high as #678 nationally, which occurred in 1954, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Dirk has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Dirk (2023)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1918 | 6 |
| 1921 | 6 |
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1925 | 12 |
| 1926 | 12 |
| 1927 | 5 |
| 1928 | 9 |
| 1929 | 15 |
| 1930 | 13 |
| 1931 | 17 |
| 1932 | 23 |
| 1933 | 18 |
| 1934 | 15 |
| 1935 | 19 |
| 1936 | 16 |
| 1937 | 20 |
| 1938 | 19 |
| 1939 | 28 |
| 1940 | 20 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1942 | 31 |
| 1943 | 32 |
| 1944 | 32 |
| 1945 | 33 |
| 1946 | 36 |
| 1947 | 52 |
| 1948 | 47 |
| 1949 | 78 |
| 1950 | 95 |
| 1951 | 101 |
| 1952 | 109 |
| 1953 | 150 |
| 1954 | 438 |
| 1955 | 377 |
| 1956 | 365 |
| 1957 | 369 |
| 1958 | 314 |
| 1959 | 371 |
| 1960 | 363 |
| 1961 | 379 |
| 1962 | 314 |
| 1963 | 336 |
| 1964 | 333 |
| 1965 | 303 |
| 1966 | 297 |
| 1967 | 312 |
| 1968 | 330 |
| 1969 | 343 |
| 1970 | 342 |
| 1971 | 277 |
| 1972 | 164 |
| 1973 | 159 |
| 1974 | 180 |
| 1975 | 159 |
| 1976 | 122 |
| 1977 | 115 |
| 1978 | 102 |
| 1979 | 176 |
| 1980 | 148 |
| 1981 | 121 |
| 1982 | 97 |
| 1983 | 128 |
| 1984 | 122 |
| 1985 | 112 |
| 1986 | 106 |
| 1987 | 100 |
| 1988 | 115 |
| 1989 | 107 |
| 1990 | 82 |
| 1991 | 76 |
| 1992 | 67 |
| 1993 | 67 |
| 1994 | 57 |
| 1995 | 49 |
| 1996 | 60 |
| 1997 | 32 |
| 1998 | 45 |
| 1999 | 46 |
| 2000 | 44 |
| 2001 | 33 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 47 |
| 2004 | 27 |
| 2005 | 50 |
| 2006 | 46 |
| 2007 | 43 |
| 2008 | 42 |
| 2009 | 38 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2011 | 40 |
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 12 |