Frederic

“Peaceful ruler”

Germanic origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#3073US 2023

40Births / yr

↑Rising

14.2kAll-time births

📅 Since 188000.03% of births at peak

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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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

How popular is Frederic right now?

Rising fast — up 286 spots — currently #3073 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1880–2023#3073 · Top 2.3%

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

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	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Frederic

Best Year1915Rank #344

Peak Count240

Average Rank#1430

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202328 years

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:

John William James George Charles

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

Frederic (Scandinavian royal)

Frederic held this name in the Nordic royal courts, giving it aristocratic prestige across Northern Europe.

Frederic (medieval German ruler)

Frederic bore this name during the Holy Roman Empire, spreading Germanic naming traditions across Europe.

Frederic (Norse explorer)

Frederic carried this name across Scandinavia and into the North Atlantic during the Viking Age.

Frederic (German philosopher)

Frederic used this name in the rich tradition of German intellectual and philosophical culture.

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Celebrity Names

What celebrities named their babies in 2025

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What names sound and feel like Frederic?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Frederic also consider these

Germanic · peaceful ruler

Frédéric

French · A French name

Cederic

English · Bounty or generous

Mederic

France · French

Federick

Germanic · Peaceful ruler

Broderic

English · Brother's ruler

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.