What does Frederic mean and where does it come from?
Frederic is of Germanic origin, deriving from the elements 'frid' meaning 'peace' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler' or 'power.' As such, it conveys the meaning of 'peaceful ruler.' The name has been popular in many European countries since the Middle Ages and has numerous variations, including Frederick and
Cultural significance
Frederic has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Germanic-speaking communities, where it reflects values of peaceful ruler.
Peak popularity
Reached #303 in 1885 — currently #3073 in the US.
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Related Reading
Germanic-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Frederic?
Frederic works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Frederic Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Frederic Rose
Floral · soft ending
Frederic Mae
Sweet · timeless
Frederic Claire
French influence · crisp
Frederic Jane
Literary · strong
Frederic Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Frederic right now?
Rising fast — up 286 spots — currently #3073 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #3073 | 40 | ▲ up 286 · +14% births |
| 2022 | #3359 | 35 | ▼ down 427 · -17% births |
| 2021 | #2932 | 42 | ▲ up 381 · +27% births |
| 2020 | #3313 | 33 | ▼ down 353 · -15% births |
| 2015 | #2960 | 39 | ▲ up 1717 · +95% births |
| 2010 | #4677 | 20 | ▼ down 1976 · -50% births |
| 2005 | #2701 | 40 | ▼ down 446 · -7% births |
| 2000 | #2255 | 43 | ▼ down 152 · +10% births |
| 1995 | #2103 | 39 | ▼ down 402 · -17% births |
| 1990 | #1701 | 47 | ▼ down 420 · -16% births |
| 1985 | #1281 | 56 | ▼ down 169 · -15% births |
| 1980 | #1112 | 66 | ▼ down 80 · +3% births |
| 1975 | #1032 | 64 | ▼ down 348 · -56% births |
| 1970 | #684 | 146 | ▼ down 50 · +2% births |
| 1965 | #634 | 143 | — |
The story of Frederic
Frederic has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. A total of 14,233 babies have received this name. Once ranked #365 in 1880, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #3073 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Frederic in 1885:
Frederic by decade
Frederic peaked in the 1880s. See all 1880s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1880s | 213 | |
| 1890s | 180 | |
| 1900s | 204 | |
| 1910s | 1,522 | |
| 1920s | 1,720 | |
| 1930s | 1,742 | |
| 1940s ★ | 2,455 | |
| 1950s | 2,173 | |
| 1960s | 1,345 | |
| 1970s | 926 | |
| 1980s | 576 | |
| 1990s | 452 | |
| 2000s | 341 | |
| 2010s | 351 | |
| 2020s | 33 | |
What are good nicknames for Frederic?
Common
FreFredFredieFredyEric
Famous people named Frederic
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Frederic (Scandinavian royal)
Frederic held this name in the Nordic royal courts, giving it aristocratic prestige across Northern Europe.
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Frederic (medieval German ruler)
Frederic bore this name during the Holy Roman Empire, spreading Germanic naming traditions across Europe.
F(
Frederic (Norse explorer)
Frederic carried this name across Scandinavia and into the North Atlantic during the Viking Age.
F(
Frederic (German philosopher)
Frederic used this name in the rich tradition of German intellectual and philosophical culture.
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Celebrity Names
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Explore →What names sound and feel like Frederic?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Frederic also consider these
Common questions about the name Frederic
What does the name Frederic mean?
Frederic means "Peaceful ruler" — a name rooted in Germanic tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Frederic?
Frederic is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Frederic have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Frederic?
Frederic originates from Germanic tradition. Germanic names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
What sibling names go well with Frederic?
Frederic pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Germanic heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.
Is Frederic trending right now?
Frederic is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.