Is Derrick a boy's or girl's name?

Derrick is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 997 recorded births.

When was Derrick most popular?

Derrick reached its peak popularity in 1980 with 4,135 births that year. It is currently ranked #818 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Derrick?

Derrick is currently ranked #818 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 145,055 babies since 1917.

Derrick

A Germanic name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsGermanicDeclining Also a pet name

#818▼ 60in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from the Germanic languages, variant of Derek.

Derrick is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a variant of Derek, from the Old Dutch Diederik meaning 'ruler of the people' — from þeud ('people') and ric ('ruler, power'). The -ick ending is an American spelling variant.

Derrick Rose, the NBA MVP point guard, is one of the most celebrated athletic bearers of the name. Derrick was most popular in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s and remains a familiar, confident choice in African-American naming traditions.

Compare Derrick with another name

Popularity Over Time

Derrick was #248 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #818, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Derrick
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,994	#689	▼
2010s	8,557	#382	▼
2000s	13,531	#253	▼
1990s	23,984	#153	▼
1980s	36,348	#84	▲
1970s	32,862	#86	▲
1960s	21,189	#154	▲
1950s	6,177	#330	▲
1940s	333	#1462	▲
1930s	57	#3283	▲
1920s	12	#3737	▲
1910s	11	#3980	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(97 years, 1917–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Derrick
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	305	#818	-38 (-11.1%)
2023	343	#758	-27 (-7.3%)
2022	370	#713	-88 (-19.2%)
2021	458	#606	-60 (-11.6%)
2020	518	#549	-62 (-10.7%)
2019	580	#494	-30 (-4.9%)
2018	610	#479	-91 (-13.0%)
2017	701	#442	-47 (-6.3%)
2016	748	#420	-87 (-10.4%)
2015	835	#384	-78 (-8.5%)
2014	913	#354	-68 (-6.9%)
2013	981	#330	-72 (-6.8%)
2012	1,053	#313	-45 (-4.1%)
2011	1,098	#301	+60 (5.8%)
2010	1,038	#307	-77 (-6.9%)
2009	1,115	#296	-82 (-6.9%)
2008	1,197	#285	-98 (-7.6%)
2007	1,295	#267	-67 (-4.9%)
2006	1,362	#254	-10 (-0.7%)
2005	1,372	#245	+48 (3.6%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Derrick as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Derrick has also been given to 997 girls in the U.S. since 1954.

Unranked

Current rank

997

Total births

1974

Peak year

Compare Derrick as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Derrick be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Derrick is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #818. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Derrick has two lives

Derrick, the baby name

#818boys

145,055 babies

Currently viewing

Derrick, the pet name

#5758pet name

11 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1917–2024) · Methodology