NazukeYour Name in KanjiKanji meaningsAll namesGuides

Derek in Japanese

KatakanaデレクDereku
Kanji天礼空Tereku

In Japanese, Derek is written in katakana as デレク (Dereku), the way Japanese people write foreign names. To write it in kanji, each sound gets a character chosen for its meaning. Our top pick is 天礼空 (tereku): “heaven”, “courtesy”, “sky”.

How Derek sounds in Japanese

デレクEnglish

Kanji for Derek

天礼空
tereku
  • 天
    te heaven
    The heavens and the sky.
    Tenpura (天ぷら) originally arrived in Nagasaki via Portuguese missionaries during the 16th century before becoming a Japanese culinary staple.
  • 礼
    re courtesy
    Respect and good manners; bowing to others.
  • 空
    ku sky
    The sky; open, wide and free.
貞礼空
teireku
  • 貞
    tei steadfast
    Steady, upright and true; someone who keeps faith with what matters.
  • 礼
    re courtesy
    Respect and good manners; bowing to others.
  • 空
    ku sky
    The sky; open, wide and free.
天玲久
tereku
  • 天
    te heaven
    The heavens and the sky.
    Tenpura (天ぷら) originally arrived in Nagasaki via Portuguese missionaries during the 16th century before becoming a Japanese culinary staple.
  • 玲
    re chime
    The clear ring of jade stones; beauty that sounds.
  • 久
    ku everlasting
    Long-lasting and enduring, like an old friendship.

By style

Masculine
逞嶺空
stout and bold · summit · sky
Feminine
汀玲紅
shore · chime · crimson

Questions about Derek in Japanese

How do you write Derek in Japanese?

Derek is written デレク in katakana. Katakana is the script Japanese people use for foreign names, so this is how Derek would appear on a Japanese ID card, a café cup or a name tag.

What are the best kanji for Derek?

Our top pick is 天礼空 (Tereku). 天 means “heaven”, 礼 means “courtesy” and 空 means “sky”. Other good options are 貞礼空 (Teireku) and 天玲久 (Tereku).

Is 天礼空 a real Japanese name?

Not as a traditional name. Japanese people write foreign names in katakana, so 天礼空 is a creative kanji spelling (called ateji), chosen for its sounds and meanings. Japanese readers will understand what each character means, and many will enjoy the idea behind it.

How many strokes is 天礼空?

天礼空 has 17 strokes in total (天: 4, 礼: 5, 空: 8). It takes some practice to write neatly, so look up the stroke order before trying it with a brush.

Can I use 天礼空 as a tattoo?

Each character in 天礼空 has a positive meaning, so it is a reasonable choice. Keep in mind that Japanese people will read it as the meaning of the characters, not instantly as “Derek”. If you want your name to be recognized, katakana (デレク) is clearer. Either way, ask a native speaker to check the final design.

Planning a tattoo or a print? Read the kanji tattoo checklist, and check the kanji in the name tool. Not sure which script to use? See katakana or kanji.

ShareXRedditFacebookWhatsApp

Make it yours

Pick the kind of person you are (Samurai, Shinobi, Miko and more) and Nazuke chooses kanji that match your personality. You can also save your result as an image.

Personalize Derek in kanji →Derek as an anime character ⚡

Nearby names

Denver · Denys · Denyse · Denzel · Deolinda · Deon · Derick · Dermot · Derrick · Des · Desire · Desiree