Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Drake has its roots in Old English, meaning dragon or serpent. It evolved from the Old English 'draca' to the Middle English 'drake' and is recognized in modern English as Drake. It carries traits of strength and power, though it has no biblical relevance. Historically, the name became popular during the Middle Ages and has variants such as Drayke and Draco. Today, it enjoys a positive image largely due to its association with contemporary figures like the musician Drake.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dreɪk/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Drake' is derived from the Old English word 'draca', which means 'dragon' or 'serpent'. It is also associated with the Middle English word for 'male duck'.
Meaning
dragon, serpent, male duck
Language Evolution
Old English: draca, Middle English: drake, Modern English: Drake
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages and has been used as both a surname and a given name, particularly in England.
Variants & Derivatives
Drayke, Drayc, Draco
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Drake is often associated with the popular music artist Drake, which has contributed to its modern appeal and recognition.
Famous People
Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham), Canadian rapper and singer, Sir Francis Drake, English sea captain and explorer, Drake Bell, American actor and musician
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,885 peak births in 2010
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (3 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 3 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6451st of 7545 | 11 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3608th of 6773 | 77 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1132nd of 7552 | 837 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1284th of 10718 | 694 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 510th of 16616 | 5,491 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 251st of 24088 | 21,642 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 457th of 23106 | 7,737 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 19434th of 27321 | 19 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 17023rd of 35406 | 59 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 30306th of 30306 | 5 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
37.54% 836th/2227 |
52.39% 1273rd/2430 |
77.71% 2217th/2853 |
30.16% 837th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
42.90% 1260th/2937 |
55.90% 1947th/3483 |
46.79% 1646th/3518 |
26.51% 1072nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
9.31% 343rd/3685 |
24.29% 1087th/4475 |
10.76% 559th/5194 |
7.85% 496th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
3.71% 170th/4582 |
9.28% 479th/5164 |
3.57% 261st/7313 |
3.68% 275th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
8.28% 330th/3984 |
18.41% 826th/4487 |
6.51% 444th/6822 |
9.03% 567th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Nevada across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6451st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3608th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1132nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1284th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 510th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 251st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 457th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 19434th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 17023rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 30306th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.