The name Derek is thought to be of Olde English or German origin and means "gifted ruler". Others, though, contend that the name comes from Greek and means "gifted ruler".
The Low German derivation is from Theodoric which means "ruler of the people". Theodoric the Great was a 6th-century king of the Ostrogoths who eventually became the ruler of Italy.
An alternative spelling of the name in English is Derick, but this is much less common that the usual rendering. Even less common is the spelling, Derrick. This latter spelling does tend to be confused with derrick, which normally means some type of load bearing structure for lifting.
The Low German derivation is from Theodoric which means "ruler of the people". Theodoric the Great was a 6th-century king of the Ostrogoths who eventually became the ruler of Italy.
An alternative spelling of the name in English is Derick, but this is much less common that the usual rendering. Even less common is the spelling, Derrick. This latter spelling does tend to be confused with derrick, which normally means some type of load bearing structure for lifting.
