Derby hats are most commonly called bowler hats ; in the US the term “derby” is used, while in the UK the same hat style is usually called a “bowler.”

Quick Scoop: What Are Derby Hats Called?

  • In the United States, the rounded, hard-felt hat with a short brim is often called a derby hat.
  • In the United Kingdom and much of Europe, that same style is usually called a bowler hat.
  • Over time, this hat has picked up several other, less common names:
    • Coke hat
* Billycock

* Bombín (in some Spanish-speaking regions)

So if you’re wondering “what are derby hats called?” the short, accurate answer is: they’re essentially the same as bowler hats , just under a different regional name.

In fashion and hat guides, you’ll often see phrases like “bowler (derby) hat,” treating them as interchangeable names for one classic style.

Mini TL;DR

Derby hats = bowler hats; “derby” is the American name, “bowler” is the British name, and a few historical nicknames like Coke hat and billycock still exist but are rarely used today.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.