Derek

Derek (m) First found in English as Dederick, which
shows its relationship to the Dutch Diederick, German
Dietrich (earlier Theodorich). This consists of elements
meaning ‘people’ and ‘ruler.’ Derek, also spelt Derrick,
became very popular in England and Wales in the 1920’s.
By 1935 it was also being well used in Scotland,
eventually becoming 20th most frequently used name in
1958. Derek continues to be a favourite name in Scotland, though it is no longer fashionable in England and Wales. Scottish parents sometimes use the spellings Dereck, Derick, Deryk and Derik as well as Derrick. Scott has a character in Guy Mannering (1815) who bears another Dutch form of the name, Dirk.

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