"dragon"
Origin: Old English from Latin draco
Language: English
Drake
Pronunciation: [ dr-AYK ]
Does Drake flow with your last name?
Bold as a dragon, storied as an Elizabethan explorer
English
American
Scandinavian
Bold
Strong
Modern
Cool
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Drake
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"male duck"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with rapper Drake (born Aubrey Graham) — a globally dominant figure whose name overshadows all others
The Story of Drake
Drake descends from the Old English word draca meaning dragon, tracing back to Latin draco and Greek drakon. It was historically used as a surname — most famously by Sir Francis Drake, the Elizabethan privateer and second person to circumnavigate the globe. As a first name, Drake carries both the power of mythological dragons and a storied seafaring heritage.
Drake rose steadily as a first name in the 2000s, accelerating dramatically after the rapper Drake (born Aubrey Drake Graham) became a global superstar. Its cool one-syllable punch and connection to both English heritage and hip-hop culture make it broadly appealing across demographics.
Sir Francis Drake is an English national hero and Spanish villain — he was a privateer who raided Spanish ships before completing the second circumnavigation of the globe. The name carries connotations of bold adventure. The Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica preserves his name in geography forever.
Historical Record
Drake first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 36,269 babies have been named Drake in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Drake is past its peak , currently ranked #662 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Sir Francis Drake completed the second circumnavigation of the globe in 1577-1580
- The Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica is named after him
- Drake the rapper has sold over 170 million records, making him one of the best-selling artists in history
Drake in Other Languages
French
Drake
German
Drake
Spanish
Drake
Japanese
ドレイク
Popularity Over Time
#662
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2010
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Drake
D
Drake
Musician
1986
Canadian rapper and singer, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, known for Hotline Bling and God's Plan
N
Nick Drake
Musician
1948
English singer-songwriter whose melancholic folk music gained cult status after his early death at 26
S
Sir Francis Drake
Explorer
1540
English privateer and navigator, second person to circumnavigate the globe, national hero of Elizabethan England
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Compare Drake with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #662
- Total SSA Count
- 414
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Dra
Dry
Drie
Drakins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Drake
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Drake is also used as a girl name, ranked #54166.
View Drake as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Drake
What does the name Drake mean?
"dragon" (from Old English from Latin draco). "male duck" (from Old English). Drake descends from the Old English word draca meaning dragon, tracing back to Latin draco and Greek drakon. It was historically used as a surname — most famously by Sir Francis Drake, the Elizabethan privateer and second person to circumnavigate the globe. As a first name, Drake carries both the power of mythological dragons and a storied seafaring heritage.
What is the origin of the name Drake?
Drake has Old English from Latin draco, Old English, English, American, and Scandinavian origins. In Old English from Latin draco, it means "dragon". In Old English, it means "male duck".
Is Drake a boy or girl name?
Drake is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #662. As a girl name, it is ranked #54166. Drake is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Drake?
Drake is pronounced dr-AYK.
How popular is the name Drake?
Drake is currently ranked #662 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Drake?
Common nicknames for Drake include Dra, Dry, Drie, and Drakins.
What are good middle names for Drake?
Popular middle name pairings include Drake Alexander, Drake James, Drake William, Drake Michael, Drake Thomas, and Drake Owen.
What are good sibling names for Drake?
Names that pair well with Drake as siblings include Chase, Blake, Logan, Stella, Piper, and Sloane.
How many syllables does Drake have?
Drake has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Drake a common or rare name?
Drake is moderately common, ranked #662 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Drake?
Are there other spellings for Drake?
Related spellings include Drako.
About the Name Drake
Drake is a boy name with English, American, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "dragon" in Old English from Latin draco .
Is Drake a boy or girl name? Drake is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #662 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #54,166. Drake is more commonly used as a boy name.
Drake is currently ranked #662 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Drake has 1 syllable and is pronounced dr-AYK, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Drake include Dra, Dry, Drie, and Drakins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Drake include Drako . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis