Derek | Oh Baby! Names

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Derek

Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Derek

The name Derek came to England in the Middle Ages by way of the Flemish weavers who immigrated in large numbers to England from Flanders (modern day Belgium) starting in the 14th century. They were invited and encouraged to settle in England by King Edward III in an effort to develop the English weaving industry. Not only did they bring their spinning wheels, they also brought the name Derek. Derek was developed from the Old Germanic name Theodoric which is derived from the words “þeud” meaning ‘people, race’ and “rīc” meaning ‘power, ruler.’ Even through the name had been around in England for several centuries, its popularity among English-speaking people did not take off until the middle of the 20th century.

All About the Baby Name – Derek

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME DEREK

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME DEREK

Derek debuted on the U.S. popularity charts in 1943 and immediately began advancing up the list of most used boy names in America. In 1970, Derek achieved a Top 100 position which it sustained for 25 straight years before falling off in 1996. The height of the name’s popularity came during the 1980s when Derek danced around position #50 on the charts. Today, Derek is waning in popularity across America. However, the name is still a Top 100 pick in the state of New York where they honor their beloved Yankee Derek Jeter (who, by the way, has German ancestry through his mother). Derek is unquestionably a strong and masculine name – it’s got more of that “no-nonsense” German quality rather than the flowery French sounding names or the poetic Spanish ones. Derek is a name that means business just like the ‘powerful rulers’ they etymologically represent.

Quick Facts

ON DEREK

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Dutch

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

205

PRONUNCIATION:

DARE-ik

SIMPLE MEANING:

People of power, rulers

Characteristics

OF DEREK

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Derek

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME DEREK

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Derek

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME DEREK

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Derek

Popular Songs

ON DEREK

This Feeling (Derek's Theme)a song by Of MontrealDereka song by Guttermouth

Famous People

NAMED DEREK

Derek Jeter (baseball player) Derek Fisher (basketball player) Derek H.R. Barton (Nobel Prize Winner, chemistry) Derek Walcott (Nobel Prize Winner, literature)

Children of Famous People

NAMED DEREK

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Derek

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME DEREK

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Derek

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