How to say it
DRAKE
dreɪk
Masculine
Drake
Dragon
What it means
An English name from Old English draca, 'dragon,' by way of Latin draco.
Drake began as an Old English byname, draca, 'dragon' or 'serpent,' itself borrowed from Latin draco. As a nickname it suited someone fierce or formidable, and it could also mark a standard-bearer, since draca named the dragon battle-standard as well. A separate strand comes from Middle English drake, the male duck, used for someone thought to resemble one. It was recorded as a surname by 1086 in the Domesday Book and later carried by the Elizabethan sea captain Sir Francis Drake. As a first name it stays sleek and single-syllable, and it eased down a little in the 2025 US rankings.
How to spell Drake
The standard spelling is Drake. Common variants include Drakon, but Drake is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #196 in 2010, currently #827 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
One syllable, rhymes with 'lake.'
- Pop culture
Widely associated with the rapper Drake and with Sir Francis Drake.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Drake Canadian rapper and singer known mononymously as Drake
Spelling variants
- Drakon
Names with the same feeling
See Drake from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Drake mean?
- An English name from Old English draca, 'dragon,' by way of Latin draco.
- What does Drake mean in English?
- In English, Drake means "Dragon." Drake began as an Old English byname, draca, 'dragon' or 'serpent,' itself borrowed from Latin draco. As a nickname it suited someone fierce or formidable, and it could also mark a standard-bearer, since draca named the dragon battle-standard as well. A separate strand comes from Middle English drake, the male duck, used for someone thought to resemble one. It was recorded as a surname by 1086 in the Domesday Book and later carried by the Elizabethan sea captain Sir Francis Drake. As a first name it stays sleek and single-syllable, and it eased down a little in the 2025 US rankings.
- How do you pronounce Drake?
- Drake is pronounced dreɪk. Say it as DRAKE, with the stress on the "drake" syllable.
- How do you spell Drake?
- The standard spelling is Drake. Common spelling variants include Drakon.
- Is Drake a boy or girl name?
- Drake is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Drake?
- Drake ranked #827 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.