Derrick vs Raylan

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 →

Raylan

Boy #717 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"ray of light, bright counsel"

Origin: Old English rǣd + land

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#717
Total SSA Count
368
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ray

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Raylan →

Popularity Comparison

Derrick Rank #820
Raylan Rank #717

Raylan is more popular, ranked #717 vs #820 for Derrick.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Derrick ___

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

Raylan ___

  • Raylan James
  • Raylan Cole
  • Raylan Scott
  • Raylan Dale
  • Raylan Wayne
  • Raylan Lee

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Derrick

Brenda Tamara Jerome Desiree Marcus

If you choose Raylan

Waylon Wyatt Sawyer Ember Lena

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 Derrick or Raylan more popular?

Raylan is more popular, ranked #717 compared to Derrick at #820 in the United States.

What do Derrick and Raylan mean?

Derrick means "ruler of the people" (Germanic origin). Raylan means "ray of light, bright counsel" (Old English rǣd + land origin).

Are Derrick and Raylan boy or girl names?

Derrick is primarily a boy name. Raylan is primarily a boy name.

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