Derek is a masculine given name. It is the English language short form of ''

Diederik Diederik Diederick is a Dutch language, Dutch male given name. People with the name include: *Diederik Aerts (born 1953), Belgian theoretical physicist *Diederik Bangma (born 1990), Dutch football goalkeeper *Diederik Boer (born 1980), Dutch f ...

'', the Low Franconian form of the name Theodoric. Theodoric is an old Germanic name with an original meaning of " people- ruler". Common variants of the name are Derrek,

Derick Derick is both a masculine given name and a surname. It is a variant of Derrick. People with the name include: Given name *Derick Adamson (born 1958), Jamaican runner *Derick Amadi (born 1984), Nigerian footballer *Derick Armstrong (born 1979), A ...

, Dereck, Derrick, and Deric. Low German and Dutch short forms of Diederik are Dik, Dirck, and Dirk.

History

The English form of the name arises in the 15th century, via import from the Low Countries. The native English (Anglo-Saxon) form of the name was ''Deoric'' or ''Deodric'', from Old English ''Þēodrīc'', but this name had fallen out of use in the medieval period. During the Late Middle Ages, there was intense contact between the territories adjacent to the North Sea, in particular due to the activities of the

Hanseatic League The Hanseatic League (; gml, Hanse, , ; german: label=Modern German, Deutsche Hanse) was a medieval commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Central and Northern Europe. Growing from a few North German to ...

. As a result, there was a lot of cross-pollination between

Low German : : : : : (70,000) (30,000) (8,000) , familycolor = Indo-European , fam2 = Germanic , fam3 = West Germanic , fam4 = North Sea Germanic , ancestor = Old Saxon , ancestor2 = Middle L ...

, Dutch, English,

Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish ance ...

and Norwegian. The given name ''Derk'' is found in records of the Low Countries from the early 14th century, and in the spelling ''Derck'' becomes rather common in name lists compiled in the Habsburg Netherlands during the early 16th century. An early bearer of the name ''Derek'' was lord of Keppel, Gelderland, in the early 14th century. A Derek van Keppel, lord of Verwoelde, died in 1495 and was succeeded by his eldest son, also called Derek van Keppel. A later Derek van Keppel died in 1646, succeeded by Asewolt van Keppel, the father of Arnold van Keppel, who in 1688 was created Earl of Albemarle in the

Peerage of England The Peerage of England comprises all peerages created in the Kingdom of England before the Act of Union in 1707. In that year, the Peerages of England and Scotland were replaced by one Peerage of Great Britain. There are five peerages in t ...

Given name

Arts and entertainment

A–M

* Derek Acorah (1950–2020), British TV personality * Derek Almstead (born 1974), musician/engineer * Derek and the Dominos (active 1970–1971), blues-rock group * Derek Andersen, one half of the DJ duo SLANDER * Derek Bailey (guitarist) (1930–2005), jazz guitarist * Derek Barbosa (born 1971), a.k.a.

Chino XL Derek Keith Barbosa (born April 8, 1974), better known by his stage name Chino XL, is an American rapper, and actor. He has released four solo studio albums, in which his most recent – ''Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary'' – won the 2012 HHU ...

, American rapper *

Derek Batey Derek Batey (8 August 1928 – 17 February 2013) was a British television presenter and television executive. Batey was born in Brampton, Cumberland, and educated at the White House School, Brampton. After appearing in clubs as a ventriloqui ...

(1928–2013), British TV presenter * Derek Bell (musician) (1935–2002), Irish harpist and composer *

Derek Benfield Derek Benfield (11 March 1926 – 10 March 2009) was a British playwright and actor. He was born in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, and educated at Bingley Grammar School. He was the author of the stage farce ''Running Riot'' and pla ...

(1926–2009), British actor and playwright * Derek Bermel (born 1967), American composer, clarinetist and conductor *

Derek Michael Besant Derek Michael Besant (born 1950) is a Canadian artist living in Calgary, Alberta who, since the 1980s, has created prints, watercolours and large-scale art, shown in exhibitions and as public art projects in Canada and abroad. Since the mid-199 ...

(born 1950), Canadian artist *

Derek Bloom Derek Bloom (born January 30, 1983 in South Pasadena, California) is an American musician and singer, known for drumming in post-hardcore band From First to Last for all of their time as a band until their revival. He left From First to Last in ...

(born 1983), drummer of From First to Last * Derek Bogaerde, birth name of

Dirk Bogarde Sir Dirk Bogarde (born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde; 28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999) was an English actor, novelist and screenwriter. Initially a matinée idol in films such as ''Doctor in the House'' (1954) for the Rank Organ ...

(1921–1999), British actor of Dutch/Scottish ancestry * Derek Boland (1965-2009), a.k.a. Derek B, British DJ and rapper * Derek Bond (1920–2006), actor, director and playwright * Derek Boshier (born 1937), British pop artist * Derek Bourgeois (1941–2017), English composer *

Derek Brockway Derek Clifford Brockway (born 29 October 1967) is a Welsh meteorologist. After 30 years of being employed by the Met Office he joined the BBC in October 2016. Brockway is based at BBC Cymru Wales in Cardiff, Wales and presents weather forecasts ...

(born 1967), Welsh meteorologist and TV presenter *

Derek Buckner Derek Buckner, an United States of America, American realist painter based in New York City, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and has exhibited in New York City, East Hampton (town), New York, East Hampton, and Todo Santos, Mexico. His fath ...

, American realistic painter * Derek Cecil (born 1973), American actor *

Derek Charke Derek Charke (; born 1974) is a Canadian classical composer and flutist. Career In 2012, Derek Charke won the Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year, Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year for his work, "Sepia Fragments." The ...

(born 1974), Canadian composer and flutist *

Derek de Lint Dick Hein "Derek" de Lint (; born 17 July 1950) is a Dutch film and television actor, known for playing the role of Derek Rayne in '' Poltergeist: The Legacy''. Life and career Dick Hein de Lint was born on 17 July 1950 in The Hague in the N ...

(born 1950), Dutch actor * Derek Deadman (1940–2014), British actor * Derek Dick (born 1958), a.k.a. Fish, Scottish progressive rock singer/songwriter * Derek Dingle (1937–2004), English close-up magician who lived in New York * Derek Drymon (born 1965), American writer and storyboard artist *

Derek Edwards Derek Edwards (born 1958) is a Canadian stand-up comedian and actor from Timmins, Ontario. He went to Timmins High and Vocational School. In 1995, he was the winner of the Vail National Comedy Invitational in Vail, Colorado. He is the only Can ...

(born 1958), Canadian stand-up comedian and actor *

Derek Elphinstone Derek Elphinstone (1913–1999) was a British actor. Derek Elphinstone was born on 15 October 1913 in Surrey. He was the son of Montague Elphinstone was also an actor and from a family of actors. Montague Elphinstone served in the Boer War and the ...

(1913–1999), British actor *

Derek Erdman Derek Erdman is an artist in Chicago, Illinois. His notable works and projects include his vibrant paintings,https://seattlechannel.org/ArtZone/segments?videoid=x31438 irreverent prints, phone-prank album ''Kathy McGinty'' and his portrayal of ...

(born 1973), American artist * Derek Floyd, American artist, brother of Cyndi Floyd, together performing as Philly sound duo Derek & Cyndi * Derek Forbes (born 1956), Scottish bassist *

Derek Ford Derek Ford (6 September 1932, Essex – 19 May 1995) was an English film director and writer, most famous for sexploitation films such as ''The Wife Swappers'' (1970), '' Suburban Wives'' (1971), '' Commuter Husbands'' (1972), ''Keep It Up, Ja ...

(1932–1995), English film director/writer *

Derek Fordjour Derek Fordjour (born 1974) is an American interdisciplinary artist and educator of Ghanaian heritage, who works in collage, video/film, sculpture, and painting. Fordjour lives and works in New York City. Early life and education Derek Fordjou ...

(born 1974), artist/painter and documentary producer *

Derek Fowlds Derek James Fowlds (2 September 1937 – 17 January 2020) was an English actor. He was best known for his appearances as "Mr Derek" in ''The Basil Brush Show'' (1969–1973), Bernard Woolley in the sitcom ''Yes Minister'' (1980–1984) and its s ...

(1937–2020), English actor * Derek Francis (1923–1984), British comedy and character actor * Derek Fudesco, bassist and vocalist with indie rock band Pretty Girls Make Graves *

Derek Gledhill Smile Empty Soul is an American rock band, originally from Santa Clarita, California, United States. It was started in 1998 by Sean Danielsen (vocals and guitar), Ryan Martin (bass), and Derek Gledhill (drums). Following the departure of Gledhil ...

, American drummer member of alternative rock/post-grunge music group Smile Empty Soul *

Derek Grant (drummer) Derek Richard Grant (sometimes known as Derek R. Grant) is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known as the third and current drummer for punk rock band Alkaline Trio, having joined the band in 2001. He is also a member of Chicago ...

(born 1977), drummer for punk band Alkaline Trio * Derek Griffiths (born 1946), British actor *

Derek Guille Derek Guille (born 1951) is an Australian radio presenter. He presented the ''Evenings'' program on 774 ABC Melbourne and ABC Victoria from 2003 to 2011. Career Before beginning his radio career, Guille worked for the Nine Network and Batman ...

(born 1951), Australian radio presenter *

Derek Hammond-Stroud Derek Hammond-Stroud (10 January 192614 May 2012) was an English baritone opera singer best known for his performances of German lieder and his international performances in opera, particularly the roles of Alberich in Richard Wagner, Wagner's '' ...

(1926–2012), English opera singer *

Derek Hanjora Derek is a masculine given name. It is the English language short form of ''Diederik'', the Low Franconian form of the name Theodoric. Theodoric is an old Germanic name with an original meaning of "people-ruler". Common variants of the name are ...

(born 1981), American Podcast Host *

Derek Hartley Derek Hartley (born October 28, 1969) is an American talk show host, who co-hosts the weekday paid subscriber-only internet radio show and podcast Derek and Romaine 2.0 and who previously served as co-host of its forerunner ''Derek and Romaine Sho ...

(born 1969), American radio talk-show host *

Derek Harvie Derek Kevin Harvie (born April 7, 1971) is a Canadian TV and film writer and producer. Harvie grew up in Ottawa and graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in film and literature. ''Us Weekly'' named him one of the "100 Most Cre ...

(born 1971), Canadian entertainment writer and producer, living in the U.S. * Derek Hess, American poster and album-cover artist * Derek Hill (painter) (1916–2000), English portrait and landscape painter *

Derek R. Hill Derek Hill is an American production designer. Hill has numerous feature films and Emmy nominated television series to his credit and collaborated with such acclaimed directors as Antoine Fuqua, Kevin Costner, Oliver Stone, Sean Penn, Gore Verbins ...

, film production designer * Derek Hough (born 1985), American dancer, choreographer, musician and actor * Derek Jacobi (born 1938), English actor and director * Derek Jarman (1942–1994), English film director, stage designer, artist and writer * Derek, a stage name, along with Johnny Cymbal, of Scottish-born American songwriter, singer and record producer born John Hendry Blair (1945–1993) *

Derek Kirk Kim Derek Kirk Kim is a Korean-American writer, director, and artist. He is the recipient of the Eisner (2004), the Harvey (2004), and the Ignatz Award (2003) for his debut graphic novel ''Same Difference and Other Stories.'' (The contents of which w ...

(born 1974), American cartoonist * Derek Kok (born 1964), Hong Kong actor * Derek Lamb (1936–2005), American animation film-maker and producer * Derek Leckenby (1943–1994), English musician and guitarist, member of Herman's Hermits * Derek Longmuir (born 1951), drummer with the Bay City Rollers * Derek Luke (born 1974), American actor * Derek Malcolm (born 1932), British film critic * Derek Martin (born 1933), English actor *

Derek McCulloch Derek Ivor Breashur McCulloch Order of the British Empire, OBE (18 November 1897 – 1 June 1967) was a BBC Radio producer and presenter. He became known as "Uncle Mac" on ''Children's Hour'' and ''Children's Favourites'' and provided the voice ...

(1897–1967), BBC radio presenter and producer * Derek McGrath (born 1951), Canadian actor * Derek Meddings (1931–1995), British TV and cinema special effects expert * Derek Mooney (born 1967), Irish radio and TV personality and producer *

Derek Morgan (Criminal Minds) Derek Morgan is a fictional character on the CBS crime drama ''Criminal Minds'', portrayed by Emmy Award winner Shemar Moore. Morgan specializes in fixations and obsessive behaviors. He is a Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI's Behavioral An ...

, fictional character *

Derek Murphy (musician) Derek Murphy is an American drummer and session musician. Early in his career, Derek Murphy was a part of Forget the Name and Milk Can in Miami. He performed on many recordings with artists such as Amanda Green, Beth Wood and Mary Karlzen and wi ...

, American drummer and session musician *

Derek X Derek Murphy (born December 29, 1968), better known as Sadat X, is an American rapper, best known as a member of alternative hip hop group Brand Nubian. Originally known as Derek X, Sadat takes his name from former Egyptian president Anwar Sa ...

, a stage name, along with Sadat X, of American rapper Derek Murphy (born 1968)

N–Z

Derek Newark Derek John Newark (8 June 1933 – 11 August 1998) was an English actor in television, film and theatre. Career Newark began his working life as a soldier in the Coldstream Guards before joining the Royal Artillery. However, he wanted to beco ...

(1933–1998), English actor * Derek Nimmo (1930–1999), English character actor * Derek O'Brien (drummer) (born 1963), drummer and music producer *

Derek Oldham Derek Oldham (29 March 1887 – 20 March 1968) was an English singer and actor, best known for his performances in the tenor roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. After performing in concerts as a boy soprano and workin ...

(1887–1968), English tenor *

Derek Paravicini Derek Paravicini (born 26 July 1979) is an English autistic savant known as a musical prodigy. He resides in London. Biography On 26 July 1979, Paravicini was born at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, He was born extremely prematurely, at ...

(born 1979), English blind autistic savant and musical prodigy *

Derek Pascoe Derek Pascoe (born 1957) is a British musician now based in Adelaide, South Australia. He was the singing, vocalist and saxophonist in pop band Flintlock (musical group), Flintlock in the 1970s. He is a member of the jazz performance academic st ...

(born 1957), American vocalist *

Derek Pressnall Tilly and the Wall was an indie pop group from Omaha, Nebraska. Their name originated from a children's book called ''Tillie and the Wall'', written by Leo Lionni. They are particularly noted for having a tap dancer, Jamie Pressnall, provide ...

, guitarist for the indie-pop group Tilly and the Wall *

Derek Prince Peter Derek Vaughan Prince (14 August 1915 – 24 September 2003) was a Bible teacher whose daily radio programme, ''Derek Prince Legacy Radio'', is broadcast around the world in various languages. Marriage and the growth of his ministry Derek ...

(1915–2003), American Christian radio preacher * Derek Lee Ragin (born 1958), American singer *

Derek Richardson (actor) Derek Richardson Jr. (born January 18, 1976) is an American actor. He is best known for his TV roles on ''Men in Trees'' and ''Anger Management'', and for starring as young Harry Dunne in the film '' Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd''. Ea ...

(born 1976), American actor * Derek Riggs (born 1958), British artist * Derek Riordan (born 1983), Scottish footballer (striker) *

Derek Rodier Derek Rodier (born 4 February 1959 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish former footballer who played for Hibernian, Dunfermline Athletic and Berwick Rangers Berwick Rangers Football Club is a football team based in the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, En ...

(born 1959), Scottish footballer * Derek Roy (born 1983), Canadian ice hockey player * Derek Royle (1929–1990), English actor *

Derek Sanderson Derek Michael Sanderson (born June 16, 1946), nicknamed "Turk", is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and two-time Stanley Cup champion who helped transform the culture of the professional athlete in the 1970s era. The two-time Sta ...

(born 1946), Canadian ice hockey player and business executive *

Derek Saunders Derek Saunders (6 January 1928 – 3 March 2018) was an English footballer who played for Chelsea during the 1950s. Biography Born in Ware, for whose Spartan League side he made 31 appearances in 1945–46 as its youngest ever captain, Saunders ...

(1928–2018), English footballer * Derek Sealy (1912–1982), West Indian cricketer *

Derek Shackleton Derek Shackleton (12 August 1924 – 28 September 2007) was a Hampshire County Cricket Club, Hampshire and England cricket team, England bowler (cricket), bowler. He took over 100 wickets in 20 consecutive seasons of first-class cricket, but onl ...

(1924–2007), English cricketer *

Derek Shaw (businessman) Derek Shaw is an English businessman, who is a former chair of English football club, Preston North End and former managing director of Blackburn Rovers. He is the owner of Ribble Valley Shelving Limited. Background A lifelong Preston North End f ...

, English football club chairman *

Derek Sherinian Derek Sherinian (born August 25, 1966) is an American keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, and Joe Bonamassa, among others. He was also a member of Dream Theater from 1994 to 1999, is the founder of Planet X and ...

(born 1966), American keyboard musician, composer and producer * Derek Shulman (born 1947), Scottish singer/instrumentalist and record executive *

Derek Smart Derek K. Smart is an American video game designer. He is the president and lead developer of 3000AD, Inc., an indie game development company based in Aventura, Florida. In addition he is the president of and investor in the video game developmen ...

, controversial designer of video games * Derek Smethurst (born 1948), South African footballer, author and sports consultant * Derek Smith (basketball), (1961–1996), American basketball player *

Derek Smith (ice hockey born 1954) Derek Robert Smith (born July 31, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings between 1975 and 1983. He was selected by the Sabres in the 1974 ...

, Canadian ice hockey player *

Derek Smith (ice hockey born 1984) Derek A. Smith (born October 13, 1984) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey player. Smith formerly played with the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League (NHL). Playing career After playing 123 games ov ...

, Canadian ice hockey player * Derek Smith (linebacker) (born 1975), American football player * Derek Smith (Tight End) (born 1980), American football player * Derek Smith (born 1979), a.k.a.

Pretty Lights Derek Vincent Smith (born November 25, 1981), known by his stage name Pretty Lights, is an American electronic music producer. Pretty Lights was originally a music project consisting of Smith and Michal Menert, who left after the release of their ...

, American electronic musician *

Derek Soutar Derek Soutar (born 4 June 1981, in Dundee) is a Scottish professional football goalkeeper. Career Soutar began his career with Dundee and had loan spells with Brechin City and Alloa Athletic. He signed for Aberdeen in July 2006. Things loo ...

(born 1981), Scottish football goalkeeper *

Derek St. Holmes Derek St. Holmes (born February 24, 1953) is an American rock musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitar player for Ted Nugent's early solo career. After splitting from Nugent in 1978, St. Holmes worked with various artists, mo ...

(born 1953), rock musician * Derek Stephen Prince (born 1969), American voice actor and radio host *

Derek Stillie Derek Daniel Stillie (born 3 December 1973) is a Scottish retired footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for a number of clubs in Scotland and England. After retiring from football, Stillie pursued a career in English law, and contested the 20 ...

(born 1973), Scottish football goalkeeper *

Derek Stirling Derek Alexander Stirling (born 5 October 1961) is a former New Zealand cricketer who played in six Test matches and six One Day International A One Day International (ODI) is a form of limited overs cricket, played between two teams with ...

(born 1961), New Zealand cricketer *

Derek Strong Derek Lamar Strong (born February 9, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player who played in ten National Basketball Association (NBA) seasons from 1991 to 2001 for six different teams. A 6'8" forward from Xavier University, Stro ...

(born 1968), American basketball player and racing driver *

Derek Tapscott Derek Robert Tapscott (30 June 1932 – 12 June 2008) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a forward. Tapscott played for Barry Town, Arsenal, Cardiff City, Newport County, Cinderford Town, Haverfordwest County and Carmarthen ...

(1932–2008), Welsh footballer * Derek Taylor, Canadian news anchor and sportscaster *

Derek Temple Derek William Temple (born 13 November 1938) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League as a forward for Everton and Preston North End in the Football League. He was capped once for England. Temple was born in Liverpoo ...

(born 1938), English footballer * Derek Thompson (actor) (born 1948), Northern Irish TV actor * Derek Thompson, a.k.a. Hoodlum Priest, musician and record producer and engineer * Derek Tracey (born 1971), Irish footballer *

Derek Trent Derek Trent (born March 21, 1980) is an American former competitive pair skater. He competed for most of his career with Tiffany Vise. On November 17, 2007, Vise and Trent landed the first clean throw quadruple salchow jump in international compe ...

(born 1980), American ice skater (pairs) * Derek Trucks (born 1979), American blues-rock guitarist *

Derek Turner Derek Turner (13 November 1932 – 31 July 2015), also known by the nickname of "Rocky", was an English World Cup winning professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. ...

(1932–2015), rugby league footballer *

Derek Ufton Derek Gilbert Ufton (31 May 1928 – 27 March 2021) was an English professional cricketer and footballer, and later a football manager. Playing professionally for Kent County Cricket Club as a wicket-keeper and Charlton Athletic Football Club, ...

(1928–2021), English cricketer * Derek Underwood (born 1945), English cricketer * Derek Varnals (born 1935), South African cricketer *

Derek Wadsworth Derek Wadsworth (5 February 1939 – 3 December 2008) was an English jazz musician, composer and arranger. Early life Wadsworth was born in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire on 5 February 1939. His first instrument was the cornet and he started playing the ...

(1939–2008), British composer and arranger *Derek Warfield (born 1943), Irish singer/songwriter and historian *Derek Waring, born Derek Barton-Chapple (1927–2007), English actor *Derek Warwick (born 1954), English F1 racing car driver *Derek Waters (born 1979), American actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer and director *Derek Webb (born 1974), American singer-songwriter *Derek Whitehead (born 1944), English rugby league footballer *Derek Whyte (born 1968), Scottish footballer *Derek Woodcock, Australian rules football field umpire *Derek Yee (born 1957), Hong Kong film director *Derek Young (born 1921), American drummer from a band "Queen" *Derek Yu (born 1982), American independent game designer, video game artist, and blogger

Sports

A–M

*Derek Abney (born 1980), American football wide receiver *Derek Anderson (American football) (born 1983), National Football League quarterback *Derek Anderson (basketball) (born 1974), American basketball player *Derek Armstrong (ice hockey) (born 1973), Canadian hockey oplayer *Derek Asamoah (born 1981), Ghanaian footballer playing in Korea *Derek Barnett (born 1996), American football player *Derek Bell (auto racer) (born 1941), British F1 racing car driver *Derek Bell (baseball) (born 1968), American former Major League Baseball player *Derek Bell (footballer, born 1956), English football player *Derek Bell (footballer, born 1963), English football player *Derek Bellotti (born 1946), English football player *Derek Boateng (born 1983), Ghanaian footballer *Derek Boogaard (1982–2011), Canadian ice hockey player *Derek Bryant (boxer) (born 1971), American heavyweight boxer *Derek Campbell (born 1980), Canadian ice hockey player *Derek Campos (born 1988), American mixed martial artist *Derek Carr (born 1991), American football player *Derek Cassidy (born 1986), American football player *Derek Chisora (born 1983), British heavyweight boxer *Derek Clayton (born 1942), British/Australian long-distance runner *Derek Collins (born 1969), Scottish footballer and football coach *Derek Combs (born 1979), American football player *Derek Cooke (born 1991), basketball player for Hapoel Gilboa Galil of the Israeli Basketball Premier League *Derek Couch, a.k.a. Robbie McAllister, Scottish member of Canadian tag wrestling team The Highlanders (professional wrestling), The Highlanders *Derek Cox (born 1986), American football player *Derek Crookes (born 1969), South African cricketer *Derek Curry (born 1981), American football player *Derek Daly (born 1953), Irish F1 racing car driver *Derek Darnell Brown (born 1971), American football player *Derek Dawkins (born 1959), English professional footballer *Derek de Boorder (born 1985), New Zealand cricketer *Derek Dennis (born 1988), American football player *Derek Dooley (American football coach) (born 1968), American football player and coach *Derek Dooley (footballer) (1929–2008), English footballer, manager and club chairman *Derek Dougan (1938–2007), Northern Irish footballer and club chairman *Derek Edwards (rugby league) (died 2020), rugby league footballer *Derek Fazackerley (born 1951), English footballer and coach *Derek Ferguson (born 1967), Scottish footballer and club manager *Derek Fisher (born 1974), American basketball player *Derek Geary (born 1980), Irish footballer who played in England *Derek Grimm (born 1974), American basketball player *Derek Hagan (born 1984), American football player (wide receiver) *Derek Hales (born 1951), English footballer *Derek Hall (cricketer) (1932–1983), English cricketer *Derek Hallas (born c. 1934), English rugby union and rugby league footballer *Derek Hardiman (born 1981), Irish hurling player *Derek Harper (born 1961), American basketball player and TV sports anchor *Derek Hawksworth (born 1927), English footballer *Derek Heasley (born 1972), Irish cricketer *Derek Higgins (born 1966), Irish Indy Lights racing car driver *Derek Hill (driver) (born 1975), American former Formula 3000 driver *Derek Ho (1964–2020), American surfer *Derek Holland (born 1986), American baseball player *Derek Holmes (born 1978), Scottish footballer *Derek Hood (basketball) (born 1976), American basketball player *Derek Howes, rugby league footballer *Derek Ibbotson (1932–2017), English track athlete *Derek Jeter (born 1974), American baseball player *Derek Johnson (athlete) (1933–2004), British track athlete *Derek Johnstone (born 1953), Scottish footballer *Derek Joslin (born 1987), Canadian ice hockey player *Derek Keenan (born 1961), Canadian lacrosse player *Derek Kenway (born 1978), English cricketer *Derek Kevan (1935–2013), English footballer *Derek King (born 1967), Canadian ice hockey player *Derek Lilley (born 1974), Scottish footballer *Derek Lilliquist (born 1966) American baseball player and coach *Derek Lowe (born 1973), American baseball player *Derek Lyle (born 1981), Scottish footballer *Derek Lyng (born 1978), Irish hurling player *Derek MacKenzie (born 1981), Canadian ice hockey player *Derek Malawsky (born 1973), Canadian lacrosse player *Derek McInnes (born 1971), Scottish footballer *Derek Meech (born 1984), Canadian ice hockey player *Derek Miles (born 1972), American pole vaulter *Derek Mills (born 1972), American track athlete *Derek Morgan (cricketer), Derek Morgan (1929–2017), English cricketer *Derek Morris (ice hockey) (born 1978), Canadian ice hockey player *Derek Mountfield (born 1962), English footballer *Derek Murray (Gaelic footballer), Irish Gaelic footballer

N–Z

*Derek Niven (born 1983), Scottish footballer *Derek Noonan (1947–2009), rugby union and rugby league footballer *Derek Norris (born 1989), American baseball player *Derek Oldbury a.k.a. ''DEO'' (1924–1994), British draughts champion and writer on the game *Derek Pace (1932–1989), English footballer *Derek Parker (footballer) (1926–2011), English footballer *Derek Parkin (born 1948), English footballer *Derek Parlane (born 1953), Scottish footballer *Derek Parra (born 1970), Mexican-American speed skater (ice) *Derek Perera (born 1977), Sri Lankan Canadian cricketer *Derek Phillips (footballer, born 1975) (born 1975), Trinidad and Tobago footballer *Derek Piggott (1922–2019), British glider pilot *Derek Plante (born 1971), American ice hockey player *Derek Popovich (born 1981), American footballer *Derek Porter (born 1967), Canadian rower *Derek Poundstone (born 1981), American professional strongman *Derek Pringle (born 1958), English cricketer and cricket journalist *Derek Quinnell (born 1949), Welsh rugby union player *Derek Rackley (born 1977), American football player *Derek Rae (born 1967), Scottish soccer commentator *Derek Randall (born 1951), English cricketer *Derek Redmond (born 1965), English track athlete *Derek Reeves (1934–1995), English footballer *Derek Ringer (born 1956), Scottish rally driver * Derek Riordan (born 1983), Scottish footballer *Derek Rivers (born 1994), American football player *

(born 1959), Scottish footballer * Derek Roy (born 1983), Canadian ice hockey player *

(born 1946), Canadian ice hockey player and business executive *

(1928–2018), English footballer * Derek Sealy (1912–1982), West Indian cricketer *

(1924–2007), English cricketer *

, English football club chairman * Derek Smethurst (born 1948), South African footballer, author and sports consultant * Derek Smith (basketball), (1961–1996), American basketball player *

, Canadian ice hockey player *

, Canadian ice hockey player * Derek Smith (linebacker) (born 1975), American football player *Derek Smith (tight end) (born 1980), American football player *

(born 1981), Scottish football goalkeeper *

(born 1973), Scottish football goalkeeper *Derek Stingley (born 1971), American football player *Derek Stingley Jr. (born 2001), American football player *

(born 1961), New Zealand cricketer *

(born 1968), American basketball player and racing driver *

(1932–2008), Welsh footballer *

(born 1938), English footballer * Derek Tracey (born 1971), Irish footballer *

(born 1980), American pairs ice skater *

(1932–2015), rugby league footballer *

(born 1928), English cricketer * Derek Underwood (born 1945), English cricketer * Derek Varnals (born 1935), South African cricketer *Derek Warwick (born 1954), English F1 racing car driver *Derek Whitehead (born 1944), rugby league footballer *Derek Whyte (born 1968), Scottish footballer *Derek Woodcock, Australian rules football field umpire

Business

*Derek Burney Jr. (born 1962), Canadian corporate senior executive *Derek Lambie (born 1975), Scottish newspaper editor *Derek V. Smith, American business executive

Politics

*Derek Barber, Baron Barber of Tewkesbury (1918–2017), British civil servant, agricultural expert and politician *Derek Beackon, English lorry driver and politician *Derek Bedson (1920–1989), Canadian civil servant *Derek Blackburn (1934–2017), Canadian politician *Derek Brownlee (born 1974), Scottish politician *Derek Bryan (1910–2003), British diplomat *Derek Burney (born 1939), Canadian businessman, diplomat and political strategist *Derek Clark (born 1933), British politician and science teacher *Derek Conway (born 1953), British politician *Derek Coombs (1937–2014), British politician and corporate executive *Derek Corrigan, Canadian politician *Derek Croxton, American history researcher and writer *Derek Draper (born 1967), English former lobbyist involved in ''Cash for Access'' scandal in 1999, subsequently a psychotherapist *Derek Enright (1935–1995), British politician *Derek Ezra, Baron Ezra (1919–2015) British politician and corporate executive *Derek Fatchett (1945–1999), British politician *Derek Fletcher (born 1951), Canadian politician born in England *Derek Foster, Baron Foster of Bishop Auckland (1937–2019), British politician *Derek Freeman (1916–2001), New Zealand anthropologist *Derek Gregory (born 1951), British geographer *Derek Hatton (born 1948), English politician, businessman and after-dinner speaker *Derek Holland (activist), British politician and writer who uses several pen-names: Harry Worthington, Rory O'Connor, D. Liam O'Huallachain, Derek O'Huallachain, and Deric O'Huallachain *Derek Humphry (born 1930), writer of the suicide handbook ''Final Exit'' and president of the Euthanasia Research & Guidance Organization *Derek Hussey (born 1948), Northern Irish politician *Derek Keppel (1863–1944), British nobleman, soldier and member of the royal household *Derek Laud (born 1964), English political lobbyist *Derek Lee (politician) (born 1948), Canadian lawyer and politician *Derek Lodge (1929–1996), English civil servant and statistician *Derek Mackay (born 1977), Scottish politician *Derek McDowell (born 1958), Irish politician * Derek Mooney (born 1962), Irish ministerial adviser and [(Fianna Fáil)] campaign manager *Derek Moore-Brabazon, 2nd Baron Brabazon of Tara (1910–1974) *Derek Morris (academic) (born 1945), British academic, formerly chairperson of the Competition Commission *Derek Oulton (1927–2016), lawyer and civil servant *Derek Page, Baron Whaddon (1927–2005), British politician *Derek Prag (1923–2010), British politician *Derek Quigley (born 1932), New Zealand politician *Derek Robinson (trade unionist) (1927–2017), British motor industry shop steward a.k.a. "Red Robbo" *Derek Schofield (born 1945), Chief Justice of Gibraltar *Derek Simpson (trade unionist) (born 1944), British trade unionist *Derek Spencer (born 1936), British politician *Derek Hugh Taylor (born 1951), Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 1995 to 2003 *Derek Twigg (born 1959) English politician *Derek James Walding (1937–2007), Canadian politician, born in England *Derek Walker-Smith, Baron Broxbourne (1910–1992), British politician *Derek Wall, British politician * Derek Watkins, British docker shop steward, member of the Pentonville Five * "Derek Wee", name used in a controversial blog by Wee Siew Kim (born 1960), Singaporean politician *Derek Wells (born 1946), Canadian politician and lawyer *Derek Worlock (1920–1996), British Roman Catholic bishop *Derek Wyatt (born 1949), British politician

Science, education and academics

*Derek Abbott (born 1960), physicist and electronic engineer *Derek Barton (1918–1998), British physical chemist and Nobel Prize laureate *Derek Bickerton (1926–2018), linguist and academic *Derek Birley (1926–2002), academic and educator *Derek Blake, academic and research scientist *Derek Bok (born 1930), American lawyer and educator *Derek Briggs (born 1950), Irish paleontologist *Derek Denny-Brown (1901–1981), British neurologist *Derek Denton (1924–2022), Australian scientist *Derek Hirst (born 1948), English historian of early-modern Britain *Derek Hockridge (1934–2013), British translator, lecturer and expert in French society and culture *Derek Hopwood (1933–2020), British academic and author *Derek Long (born 1925), former professor of structural chemistry at the University of Bradford, working in the field of Raman spectroscopy *Derek McCormack (academic), Derek McCormack, New Zealand biochemist and academic *Derek Wragge Morley (1920–1969) independent science consultant and journalist noted for study of ants *Derek Parfit (1942–2017), British philosopher and academic *Derek J. de Solla Price (1922–1983), information scientist and science historian *Derek Ratcliffe (1929–2005), British nature conservationist *Derek Roe (1937–2014), British paleolithic archeologist and academic *Derek Summerfield, controversial psychiatrist and writer *Derek Taunt (1917–2004), British mathematician and codebreaker *Derek van der Kooy (born 1952), scientist and academic working in stem cell research

Writing

*Derek Beaulieu (born 1973), Canadian poet, publisher and anthologist *Derek Benz (born 1971), American author of children's fantasy *Derek Hansen (born 1944), New Zealand/Australia fiction writer, born in England *Derek Jameson (1929–2012), British journalist *Derek Landy (born 1974), Irish author and screenwriter *Derek Mahon (1941–2020), Irish poet *Derek Marlowe (1938–1996), English playwright, novelist and screenwriter *Derek McCormack (writer), Derek McCormack (born 1969), Canadian fiction writer *Derek Parker (born 1932), British writer and broadcaster *Derek Raymond (1931–1994), English noir writer *Derek Robinson (novelist) (born 1932), British military aviation novelist and pilot *Derek Tangye (1912–1996), English author * Derek Taylor (1932–1997), British journalist and press agent for ''The Beatles'' *Derek Turner (journalist) (born 1964), Irish journalist *Derek Walcott (1930–2017), West Indian poet, playwright, writer and visual artist *Derek Wood (author) (1930–2003), author of ''Jane's World Aircraft Recognition Handbook''

Miscellaneous

*Derek Bentley (1933–1953), Englishman hanged for murder and subsequently pardoned *Derek Chauvin (born 1976), American former police officer convicted in the murder of George Floyd *Derek Anthony Seagrim (1903–1943), English soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross *Derek Watson (priest) (born 1938), British retired churchman, former Dean of Salisbury in the Church of England * Derek Wood (c. 1964 – 1988), one of two British soldiers killed in the 1988 Corporals killings incident

Spelling variants

; Derrek *Derrek Konrad (born 1943), Canadian politician *Derrek Lee (born 1975), American former baseball player *Derrek Tuszka (born 1997), American football player ; Derrick *Derrick (name) ; Derick *Derick (name) ; Deryck *Deryck Guyler (1914–1999), English actor *Deryck Whibley (born 1980), Canadian singer-songwriter

Fictional characters

*Derek and Clive, controversial cult characters portrayed by Dudley Moore and Peter Cook *Railway engines (Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends), Derek the dark green diesel, character from ''Thomas the Tank Engine'' *Derek the Sheep, eponymous character in a comic strip in the ''The Beano, Beano'' *Derek Almond, character in the graphic novel ''V for Vendetta'' *Derek Blunt, anthropomorphic hawk in ''Darkwing Duck'' *Derek Branning, character in the BBC soap ''EastEnders'' *Derek Conway (The Bill), Derek Conway, character in British TV series ''The Bill'' *List of The Catherine Tate Show characters and sketches#Derek Faye, Derek Faye, character in The Catherine Tate Show who appears to be in denial about his sexuality * Derek Flint, eponymous character in ''Our Man Flint'' *Derek Frye (All My Children), Derek Frye, character in the ABC soap opera ''All My Children'' * Derek Generic, character from the animated series ''Bobby's World''. *Derek Harkinson, character in the BBC soap ''EastEnders'' *Derek Hale, character in MTV's ''Teen Wolf (2011 TV series), Teen Wolf'' played by Tyler Hoechlin *Derek Klivian#History in Star Wars canon, Derek Klivian, pilot in the Rogue Squadron from ''Star Wars'' *Derek Morgan (Criminal Minds), Derek Morgan, character in the criminal drama series ''Criminal Minds'' played by Shemar Moore *Derek (TV series)#Cast, Derek Noakes, eponymous character in the comedy-drama pilot ''Derek (Pilot episode), Derek'' *List of Brookside characters#O, Derek O'Farrell, character in the British soap ''Brookside'' *Derek Powers a.k.a. Blight, supervillain in the animated series ''Batman Beyond'' *Derek Shepherd former Head of Neurosurgery at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital, in the American medical series ''Grey's Anatomy'' *Derek Smalls, character in the spoof rockumentary ''This Is Spinal Tap'' *Derek Stiles, character in the ''Trauma Center (video game series), Trauma Center'' series of video games * Derek Taylor, a character in the American TV sitcom ''Silver Spoons#Recurring cast, Silver Spoons'' *Derek Trotter, character in the TV comedy series ''Only Fools and Horses'' *Derek Vinyard, character in the American crime drama film American History X *Derek Venturi, title character in the Canadian TV show ''Life with Derek'' *Derek Wheeler a.k.a. "Wheels", character in the ''Degrassi'' series *Derek Wildstar, character in the TV series ''Star Blazers'' *Derek Wilton, character in the TV soap ''Coronation Street'' * Derek Zoolander, eponymous character in the film ''Zoolander'' *Derek (The Good Place character), character in ''The Good Place'' * Derek Lucks, former head of TASCorp, inventor of the Meta Runner arm and overall antagonist of season 1 and 2 of the ''Meta Runner'' internet series. He was shot in the head by Masa (under the control of Dr. Sheridan) in the last episode of season 2. * Prince Derek, one of the main characters in the animated film ''The Swan Princess''

Popularity

Since 1940, the peak of the popularity of the name ''Derek'' in the United States was in the 1980s. Rank 1 is the most popular, rank 2 is the next most popular, and so forth. ^ Rank > 1000 Source: Social Security Administration.

References

External links

Behind the Name Article
{{given name English masculine given names German masculine given names Dutch masculine given names