Share Info, Save Names, Get our Newsletter and Access Powerful Tools
Sign Up Now or Click Here to Find Out More

Derek

Pronunciation: DEH-rik (key)

Origin of the name Derek:

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.

From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the book

Does Derek sound...

No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
No Way
Definitely
View all ratings

Sibling Names for Derek...

Do you know any real life Dereks?
What are their siblings named?

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Derek!

Comments and insights on the name Derek: | Edit

Deryk for a girl

Personal experiences with the name Derek: | Edit
Share what you know!
Nicknames for Derek: | Edit

Dirk, Der, Rick, Derry, Ricky,

Meanings and history of the name Derek: | Edit
Share what you know!
Famous real-life people named Derek: | Edit

Derek Jeter, American professional baseball player
The lastname of actors Bo Derek and her husband John Derek
Sir Derek Jacobi, English actor and film director.
Son of Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Derek Sanders, lead singer of the band Mayday Parade

Derek in song, story & screen: | Edit

Dr. Derek Shepherd, character portrayed by actor Patrick Dempsey, on TV series "Grey's Anatomy"
Derek Zoolander, fictional character protrayed by Ben Stiller, in the film Zoolander.
Derek Smalls, fictional character played by Harry Shearer in the mock rock band Spinal Tap.
"Derek and the Dominos" 70's rock groupFronted by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton.
Derek Reese, character in the TV series "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," uncle to John Connor.
Derek Venturi from Life With Derek
"Derek", a song by Animal Collective
Derek Souza, character in the Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstron
Derek Morgan, character on Criminal Minds

Browse Girls' Names

Browse Boys' Names