Cal vs Derrick

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Derrick

Boy #820 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"ruler of the people"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

American English Dutch

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#820
Total SSA Count
305
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Derry, Rick, Ricky

Playground Safety Score

8 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme_pattern, :severity=>:low, :message=>"'Derrick' ending sounds like 'sick/thick/dick'"}

Full profile for Derrick →

Popularity Comparison

Cal Rank #671
Derrick Rank #820

Cal is more popular, ranked #671 vs #820 for Derrick.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cal ___

  • Cal James
  • Cal Thomas
  • Cal Edward
  • Cal William
  • Cal Henry
  • Cal Owen

Derrick ___

  • Derrick James
  • Derrick Michael
  • Derrick Lee
  • Derrick Wayne
  • Derrick Allen
  • Derrick Thomas

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Cal

Milo Jasper Leo Cora Nora

If you choose Derrick

Brenda Tamara Jerome Desiree Marcus

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 Cal or Derrick more popular?

Cal is more popular, ranked #671 compared to Derrick at #820 in the United States.

What do Cal and Derrick mean?

Cal means "bald (short for Calvin from Latin Calvinus)" (Latin origin). Derrick means "ruler of the people" (Germanic origin).

Are Cal and Derrick boy or girl names?

Cal is primarily a boy name. Derrick is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Cal ← Full profile: Derrick Browse all baby names