The nameFrederick
Frederick is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning "peaceful ruler". The name of Frederick the Great and Frederick Douglass, it is a royal classic.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Frederick comes from the Germanic frid, "peace", and ric, "ruler, power".
Origin
Germanic. Emperors and kings of Germany, Prussia and Denmark bore it.
History
Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery and became a great abolitionist, made the name a symbol in America. It reached the top 60 in England and Wales again. Fred, Freddie and Freddy are its short forms.
Famous people named Frederick
- Frederick the Great, King of Prussia
- Frederick Douglass, abolitionist
- Frédéric Chopin, composer (Frédéric)
Popularity of the name Frederick
Frederick in the United States
Frederick was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 44,446 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Frederick. Its rise began around 1910, and it peaked in 1952. Half of all babies named Frederick in the United States were born before 1949, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 645 births a year.
Frederick in the United Kingdom
Frederick was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 8,538 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Frederick. Half of all babies named Frederick in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 968 births a year.
Frederick in Ireland
Frederick in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Frederick
Names from the same generation as Frederick, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Frederick? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Frederick with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Frederick side by side with the name of your choice.
Frederick in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Frederick mean?
Frederick comes from the Germanic frid, "peace", and ric, "ruler, power".
What is the origin of the name Frederick?
Germanic. Emperors and kings of Germany, Prussia and Denmark bore it.
Is Frederick a girl's or a boy's name?
Frederick is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Frederick?
In 2024, Frederick was the 423rd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 741 births.
What are the variants of the name Frederick?
Variants and related names of Frederick include Freddie, Freddy, Frederic, Fredrick and Fredrik.
What are good sibling names for Frederick?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Francesca, Eileen, Sylvia and Miriam for a sister, Hugo, Leonard, Louis and Lewis for a brother.
Who are famous people named Frederick?
Frederick the Great, King of Prussia; Frederick Douglass, abolitionist; Frédéric Chopin, composer (Frédéric).