Drake is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years due to its association with the Canadian rapper, actor, and singer Aubrey Drake Graham, who goes by the stage name Drake. However, the name Drake itself predates his fame and has a rich history behind it.
The name Drake comes from the Old English word "draca," which means dragon. This name was initially used as a surname, often given to people who were fiery or had red hair, reminiscent of a dragon's flames. Over time, Drake evolved from being a descriptive nickname to a given name in its own right.
The most notable historical figure named Drake is Sir Francis Drake, an English explorer and privateer known for his circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580. He was also known for defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588, which significantly weakened Spain's power and influence.
In literature, Drake has been used as a character name in various works. For instance, it is the surname of the main protagonist in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, although this character is more commonly known by his first name, Jay.
Today, Drake continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and unique name for their child. Its association with dragons gives it a mythical and powerful connotation, while its historical significance adds to its appeal. Despite its recent popularity boost due to Aubrey "Drake" Graham, the name Drake has a long-standing history that precedes his fame, making it a timeless choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with a rich background.
The name Drake has seen a varied level of popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Between 1994 and 2020, there were a total of 83 babies named Drake born each year on average.
The highest number of births with this name occurred in 1997, when 8 infants were welcomed into the world as Drake. However, this peak was short-lived, as the following years saw a decline in popularity for this moniker.
In fact, from 2001 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2019, only six babies per year were named Drake on average. There was a notable spike once more in 2010 with eight births, but overall, this name has not been among the most popular choices for parents during these years.
More recently, in 2020, there were five births recorded for the name Drake, which suggests that its popularity may have started to decline again after a brief resurgence in previous years.