Derek

Gender
Male (Masculine | Boy)
Usage/Origins
Meaning
The name Derek means "ruler of the people" or "gifted ruler". It is derived from the Old German name Theodoric.
Pronunciation
DEH-rick
DEHR-ik
Popularity
Derek has been a popular name in the United States since the 1930s. It is currently ranked at #231 on the Social Security Administration's list of top baby names in the United States.

cartoon of the name Derek
Cartoon of Derek

Derek Name meanings & History

The name Derek means "ruler of the people" or "gifted ruler". It is derived from the Old German name Theodoric. From the older English name Dederick, which was in origin a Low German form of Theodoric. It was imported to England from the Low Countries in the 15th century. Derek is primarily used as a boy's name and is typically given to babies born in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking countries around the world.

Zodiac Sign of Derek: Domestic Cancer

Synonyms of Derek:

D: Dutiful,Demanding,Doting,Domestic,Daddy,Determined

E: Environment,Enliven,Entertain,Enlighten,Exaggerate,Expressive

R: Restless,Rational,Resourceful,Reason

K: Kind,Karma,Kundalini,Karate

Derek is:

  • a Simple name
  • a Strange name
  • a Strong name
  • a Wholesome name

Famous People

Famous people with the name Derek include Derek Jeter (former professional baseball player), Derek Hough (professional dancer), and Derek Trucks (guitarist).

2.) DEREK (Male)

Usage: German

Meanings: Short form of Theodoric, which is from the Late Latin Theodoricus, a name believed to be from the Germanic Thiudoreiks, a compound name composed from the Old German elements thiuda (folk, people) and reiks (ruler, leader, king): hence, “leader of the people.” (DAY-RAKE)


3.) DEREK (Male)

Usage: English

Meanings: Derived from a short form of the obsolete Germanic Thiudoreiks, a compound name composed from the Old German elements thiuda (folk, people) and reiks (ruler, leader, king). The name was brought to England in the Middle Ages by Flemish cloth traders. Var: Derick, Derrick. (DARE-IK, DARE-UK)


4.) DEREK (Male)

Usage: Irish

Meanings: A borrowing from the English, Derek is derived from a short form of the obsolete Germanic Thiudoreiks (ruler of the people), a compounding of the elements thiuda (folk, people) and reiks (ruler, leader). (DER-EK)


5.) Derek (Male)

Usage: German

Meanings: (German) ruler; bold heart

Other Forms: Dirk, Dyrk


6.) Derek (Male)

Usage: German

Meanings: (German) a short form of Theodoric. See also Dedrick,Dirk.

Other Forms: Derak, Derecke, Derele, Derk, Derke, Deryek


7.) DEREK (Male)

Usage: American

Meanings: Derived from a short form of the obsolete Germanic Thiudoreiks, a compound name composed from the Old German elements thiuda (folk, people) and reiks (ruler, leader, king). The name was taken to England in the Middle Ages by Flemish cloth traders. Var: Darrek, Darrick, Dereck, Derreck, Derrick. (DARE-RIK)


8.) Derek (Male)

Usage: German

Meanings: Ruler

Other Forms: Dereck, Derick, Derik, Derrek


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