Derek vs Alex

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Derek

Boy #258 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"ruler of the people"

Origin: Germanic

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Boy #205 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek

English Greek Spanish Russian French

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Derek Rank #258

Alex Rank #205

Alex is more popular, ranked #205 vs #258 for Derek.

Is Derek or Alex more popular?

Alex is more popular, ranked #205 compared to Derek at #258 in the United States.

What do Derek and Alex mean?

Derek means "ruler of the people" (Germanic origin). Alex means "defender of men" (Greek origin).

Are Derek and Alex boy or girl names?

Derek is primarily a boy name. Alex is primarily a boy name.