# Derek

/ˈdɛɹɪk/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/derek
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: A masculine given name, derived from the Germanic name Theodoric.

- My neighbor Derek always helps me carry my groceries up the stairs.
- Derek was appointed as the lead consultant for the project due to his extensive experience in international maritime law.

### 2. surname

noun · CEFR B2

a family name or last name.

For teachers: A surname of Germanic origin, less common than its use as a given name.

- The author of the book is a woman named Sarah Derek.
- The historical records indicate that the Derek family held significant land in the region during the late seventeenth century.

## Examples

- Derek is my new neighbor.
- The manager, Derek, will be leading the meeting this afternoon.
- While the name Derek was exceptionally popular in the mid-twentieth century, its frequency has declined in recent decades as naming trends have shifted toward more contemporary choices.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.