Bradford vs Derek

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Derek

Boy #258 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"ruler of the people"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English American Dutch German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#258
Total SSA Count
1,355
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dere, Rick

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Derek →

Popularity Comparison

Bradford Rank #3,012
Derek Rank #258

Derek is more popular, ranked #258 vs #3012 for Bradford.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Bradford ___

  • Bradford James
  • Bradford William
  • Bradford Scott
  • Bradford Lee
  • Bradford Allen
  • Bradford Thomas

Derek ___

  • Derek James
  • Derek Lee
  • Derek Michael
  • Derek Thomas
  • Derek Allen
  • Derek Scott

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Bradford

Harrison Eleanor Prescott Charlotte Sutton

If you choose Derek

Kyle Brandon Ashley Megan Chad

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bradford or Derek more popular?

Derek is more popular, ranked #258 compared to Bradford at #3012 in the United States.

What do Bradford and Derek mean?

Bradford means "broad ford, wide river crossing" (Old English origin). Derek means "ruler of the people" (Germanic origin).

Are Bradford and Derek boy or girl names?

Bradford is primarily a boy name. Derek is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Bradford ← Full profile: Derek Browse all baby names