Derrick is a name of African origin, specifically from the Ewe people of present-day Ghana and Togo. Its meaning varies depending on the source, but it's often translated as "warrior" or "valiant". In some cases, Derrick is also associated with the Irish name Dermot, which means "warlike".
The name Derrick first gained popularity in the United Kingdom during the 19th century, likely due to its association with the Irish name Dermot. However, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that Derrick became widely used as a given name throughout English-speaking countries.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Derrick. For instance, there's Derek Walcott, a Nobel laureate in Literature from St Lucia; and Derrick Henry, a professional American football player for the Tennessee Titans. These figures have helped to further popularize and solidify the name Derrick in modern times.
In terms of popularity, Derrick peaked in the late 20th century. It was among the top 100 names for boys in several English-speaking countries during the 1970s and 1980s. Today, it remains a relatively common choice but has somewhat declined from its peak.
Overall, Derrick is an interesting name with a rich history, offering parents a strong and distinctive option for their sons that's not overly popular yet maintains a familiar ring to it.
The name Derrick experienced a significant rise in popularity from the 1940s onwards, with a notable spike starting in the mid-1950s. Between 1950 and 1969, there was a substantial increase in babies named Derrick, peaking at 2937 births in 1969. This trend continued into the early 1970s but began to decline steadily thereafter. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the popularity of the name Derrick started to decrease significantly, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 342 births recorded in 2023.