Kieran vs Derek

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kieran

Boy #441 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"little dark one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (ciar + -án)

Irish Scottish English

✓ All Clear

Boy #258 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"ruler of the people"

Origin: Germanic

English American Dutch German

✓ All Clear

Kieran Rank #441

Derek Rank #258

Derek is more popular, ranked #258 vs #441 for Kieran.

Is Kieran or Derek more popular?

Derek is more popular, ranked #258 compared to Kieran at #441 in the United States.

What do Kieran and Derek mean?

Kieran means "little dark one" (Irish Gaelic (ciar + -án) origin). Derek means "ruler of the people" (Germanic origin).

Are Kieran and Derek boy or girl names?

Kieran is primarily a boy name. Derek is primarily a boy name.