Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Derrick
BoyDutch, Germanic· “ruler of the people”
- Meaning
- ruler of the people
- Origin
- Dutch, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- DEH-rihk
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #850
- US babies 2025
- 288
- Best rank
- #74 (1980)
- Peak year
- 1980
Meaning and origin of Derrick
Derrick is a Dutch and Germanic name that means “ruler of the people”.
Derrick is an English form of the Dutch and Low German Diederik, from the ancient Germanic name Theodoric, made from theud, people, and ric, ruler, so it means ruler of the people. Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths, is a famous early bearer. In English the word derrick also came to mean a type of crane, named after a seventeenth-century hangman called Derick. As a given name, Derrick was especially popular in the United States in the mid to late twentieth century. It feels solid and familiar, with Derek as a close alternative spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Derek, Derick, Derik, Deryck.
Popularity over time
Derrick first appears in US Social Security records in 1917. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 78 different years, starting in 1948. Its best national rank was #74 in 1980, the same year it reached its highest count of 4,135 babies. In 2025, 288 babies were named Derrick, and it ranked #850 nationally. That is 66% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #512 in 1950, #74 in 1980, #218 in 2000, #307 in 2010, and #850 in 2025. Of the 145,347 US boys named Derrick since records began, 25% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 32,860 babies. Since 2010, 10,845 more have been named Derrick.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Erik, Mario, Clinton, Jaime, and Bradley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Derrick ranked highest in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #405 | 12 |
| Mississippi | #431 | 7 |
| Maryland | #446 | 11 |
| Alabama | #490 | 10 |
| Georgia | #572 | 18 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Derrick is usually pronounced DEH-rihk, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with D and ends in “-ck”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Derek, Derick, Derik, and Deryck.
Middle names for Derrick
A few middle names that flow with Derrick: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Derrick
Similar names
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Lists that include Derrick
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Derrick mean?
Derrick is a Dutch and Germanic name that means “ruler of the people”.
What is the origin of the name Derrick?
Derrick has Dutch and Germanic roots. Derrick is an English form of the Dutch and Low German Diederik, from the ancient Germanic name Theodoric, made from theud, people, and ric, ruler, so it means ruler of the people.
Is Derrick a popular name?
Yes. Derrick ranked #850 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Derrick a boy or girl name?
Derrick is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Derrick?
Derrick is usually pronounced DEH-rihk. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings