Boy’s name · Germanic, English

Derrick

How to say it: DAIR-ik · /ˈdɛrɪk/

English form of Theodoric, meaning 'ruler of the people' from Germanic 'theud' (people) + 'ric' (ruler).

Derrick was the 197th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 288 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1970s, its births are down about 34% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #198 by 2030.

Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures

#197for boys in 2025
1 in 1,661US babies
288born in 2025
#198projected for 2030
1970sits peak decade
1 in 70chance a classmate shares it

Key facts

Key facts about Derrick
Rank among boys’ names, 2025#197
Babies born in 2025288
Share of births1 in 1,661
Peak decade1970s
Change over 10 years−34%
Projected rank for 2030 (estimate)#198
In France, 2025#889 among boys’ names, 5 births

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.

Its life, decade by decade

At its strongest in the 1970s, Derrick has thinned over time. Now far below that peak, more decline is expected.

1900195020002020–25
Peak: 1,988 per million births, 1970s.

What goes with it

Sharp consonants give Derrick a strong and sturdy impression. Garrett echoes that same rugged style.

Nicknames

  • Derek
  • Rick
  • Ric

In the classroom

In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Derrick is about 1 in 70.

Around the world

This spelling is used in Dutch, English, French, German.

In France: #889 for boys in 2025.

Famous people named Derrick

From Wikidata and Wikipedia

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