Deke

German

"ruler of the people"

Deke Origin and Meaning

The name Deke is a boy's name.

Deke is a masculine name with American origins, typically functioning as a nickname derived from names like Deacon or Derek. In some cases, it can also be a standalone given name. The name gained recognition in the United States through sports culture, particularly in baseball and football where it became associated with athletic ability. Deke has a short, strong sound that conveys a sense of confidence and directness. While never extremely common in popularity rankings, the name has maintained a steady presence, particularly in the southern United States. Deke also carries historical connections to NASA, as it was the nickname of astronaut Donald K. Slayton, one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts.

Famous People Named Deke

• Donald Kent "Deke" Slayton American astronaut
• Deke Sharon (born Kurk Richard Toohey Jr.), American singer and composer
• Roger "Deke" Leonard Welsh musician of band Man
• Deke Richards (born Dennis Lussier) American songwriter

The name Deke in Pop Culture

• Deacon "Deke" Kaye from the movie "S.W.A.T."
• Deke recurring character on "2 Broke Girls"
• Deke Shaw a character in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" season 5,7