I really want to honour my father-in-law [name]Derek[/name] with our first baby’s name. Problem though, I don’t really like the name [name]Derek[/name]. I think it’s a bit dated and sounds like an ‘old man’ name. Are there any other ways to honour [name]Derek[/name]? (For boys or girls.)
Use it as a middle name. Or maybe shorten to [name]Eric[/name].
[name]Frederick[/name]
[name]Richard[/name] or [name]Patrick[/name] nn [name]Rick[/name]
[name]Derry[/name]
[name]Alexander[/name]
[name]Anders[/name]
[name]Evander[/name]
[name]Lysander[/name]
[name]Leander[/name]
Some are a bit of a stretch but they contain the ‘der’ or ‘rick’ sounds. And you could always find a name with the same meaning 
Maybe use his middle name? Or use [name]Eric[/name], or something with the sound in. Or if you reverse [name]Derek[/name] you get Kered which sounds like [name]Kerry[/name] with a D on so maybe [name]Kerry[/name] D?
[name]Just[/name] using the D initial in one of the names would honor him, or you could possibly use [name]Derek[/name]'s middle or surname if either works better for you.
[name]Dirk[/name] and Dierks both came to mind…
Are you opposed to it as a middle name?
I think [name]Derek[/name] is handsome, and would be great as a middle name if you’re not keen on it as a first, but still want to honour someone. If you really can’t stand it though, perhaps use your father-in-law’s middle name as your son’s middle name?