Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Drake
BoyEnglish, Old English· “dragon”
- Meaning
- dragon
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- DRAYK
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #827
- US babies 2025
- 299
- Best rank
- #196 (2010)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Drake
Drake is an English and Old English name that means “dragon”.
Drake comes from the Old English draca, dragon, a word borrowed from the Latin draco. It became an English surname, possibly first given as a nickname or house sign, and the Middle English drake also meant a male duck. The surname is best known through Sir Francis Drake, the Elizabethan sea captain who sailed around the world. As a first name Drake is short, strong and modern, and it has become familiar through the Canadian rapper who uses it as his stage name. It pairs easily with a wide range of middle names.
Popularity over time
Drake first appears in US Social Security records in 1918. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 47 different years, starting in 1961. Its best national rank was #196 in 2010, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,877 babies. In 2025, 299 babies were named Drake, and it ranked #827 nationally. That is 62% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,942 in 1920, #1,171 in 1950, #1,382 in 1980, #261 in 2000, #196 in 2010, and #827 in 2025. Of the 36,792 US boys named Drake since records began, 37% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 10,493 babies. Since 2010, 13,071 more have been named Drake.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Braylon, Jaylen, Tyson, Brennan, and Aaden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Drake ranked highest in Iowa, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #225 | 18 |
| Arkansas | #312 | 11 |
| Louisiana | #319 | 16 |
| Oklahoma | #357 | 13 |
| Mississippi | #433 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Drake is usually pronounced DRAYK, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with D and ends in “-ke”.
Middle names for Drake
A few middle names that flow with Drake: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Drake
Similar names
Blake Boy
BLAYK
“black or pale” · English
#316
Colt Boy
KOHLT
“young horse” · English
#285
Tate Boy
TAYT
“from an Old English personal name” · English
#194
Cade Boy
KAYD
“from an English surname; round, lumpy” · English
#248
Brock Boy
BRAHK
“badger” · English
#810
Jake Boy
JAYK
“short form of Jacob” · English
#457
Zeke Boy
ZEEK
“God strengthens” · Hebrew
#803
Slade Boy
SLAYD
“valley” · English
#1,055
Chase Boy
CHAYS
“hunter” · English
#192
Ryder Boy
RY-dur
“horseman, rider” · English
#133
Braxton Boy
BRAK-stuhn
“Bracca's town” · Old English
#172
Kingston Boy
KIHNG-stuhn
“king's town” · English
#204
Lists that include Drake
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Drake mean?
Drake is an English and Old English name that means “dragon”.
What is the origin of the name Drake?
Drake has English and Old English roots. Drake comes from the Old English draca, dragon, a word borrowed from the Latin draco.
Is Drake a popular name?
Yes. Drake ranked #827 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Drake a boy or girl name?
Drake is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Drake?
Drake is usually pronounced DRAYK. 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