Frederick

“peaceful ruler”

Germanic origin · Unisex name

♂ 100% boys♀ 0% girls

#506US 2023

596Births / yr

↓Falling

263.8kAll-time births

📅 Since 190800

How to pronounce Frederick

FRED·er·ik

/ˈfrɛd.ɝ.ɪk/ · stress on FRED · 2 syllables

“peaceful ruler”

Germanic origin · Unisex name

What does Frederick mean and where does it come from?

Frederick is traditionally a male name, derived from the Germanic elements 'frid' meaning peace and 'ric' meaning ruler. The feminine forms and usages have emerged in modern times in various cultures. It has been widely popular across Europe, often connected to historical figures and royalty, such a

Cultural significance

Frederick has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Germanic-speaking communities, where it reflects values of peaceful ruler.

Peak popularity

Reached #1834 in 1927 — currently #506 in the US.

🌿

How else can you spell Frederick?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

What middle names flow best with Frederick?

Frederick works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Frederick Grace

How popular is Frederick right now?

Declining — down 30 spots — currently #506 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1910–2023#506 · Top 0.37%

1930

1940

1945

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#506	596	▼ down 30 · -8% births
2022	#476	648	stable · +3% births
2021	#476	629	▲ up 12499 · +12480% births
1990	#12975	5	▼ down 5397 · -37% births
1985	#7578	8	▼ down 2031 · -33% births
1980	#5547	12	▼ down 1766 · -29% births
1975	#3781	17	▼ down 67 · +6% births
1970	#3714	16	▼ down 159 · +23% births
1965	#3555	13	▼ down 973 · -41% births
1960	#2582	22	▲ up 1011 · +100% births
1955	#3593	11	▼ down 160 · +10% births
1950	#3433	10	▲ up 1141 · +100% births
1945	#4574	5	▼ down 207
1940	#4367	5	▼ down 2157 · -67% births
1930	#2210	15	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Frederick

Best Year2021Rank #476

Peak Count648

Average Rank#3684

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1910 - 202319 years

The story of Frederick

Frederick entered American naming records in 1908 and has been in use for over 116 years. More than 263,774 babies have been named Frederick since 1908. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #2415 in 1910 to #506 in 2023. Frederick is used for both genders: 0% female and 100% male.

Names that peaked alongside Frederick in 1927:

Mary Dorothy Betty Helen Margaret

Frederick by decade

Frederick peaked in the 1920s. See all 1920s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	4,603
1890s	3,994
1900s	3,905
1910s	23,609
1920s	31,679
1930s	26,713
1940s	39,190
1950s ★	44,424
1960s	30,946
1970s	20,920
1980s	13,183
1990s	8,859
2000s	5,629
2010s	5,517
2020s	603

What are good nicknames for Frederick?

DUTCH

FredFreekFritsRik

ENGLISH

FredFreddieFreddy

ESTONIAN

Priit

FINNISH

Veeti

Famous people named Frederick

Frederick (Norse explorer)

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

Frederick (Germanic saint)

Frederick spread this name through the Germanic missionary tradition of early Christianity.

Frederick (Scandinavian royal)

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

Frederick (Germanic saint)

Frederick spread this name through the Germanic missionary tradition of early Christianity.

👑

Celebrity Names

What celebrities named their babies in 2025

Explore →

What names sound and feel like Frederick?

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

Fredderick

Germanic · peaceful ruler

Frederich

Germanic · Peaceful ruler

Fredrick

Germanic · peaceful ruler

Federick

Germanic · Peaceful ruler

Rederick

English · A beloved name

Lederick

American · People's ruler

Zederick

American · gift of God

Frédérick

French · A French name

How is Frederick written in other languages?

Common questions about the name Frederick

What does the name Frederick mean?

Frederick 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 Frederick?

Frederick is currently ranked #506 as a baby name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.

What is the cultural origin of Frederick?

Frederick 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.

How do you pronounce the name Frederick?

Frederick is a two-syllable name pronounced F R EH1 D ER0 IH0 K. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Frederick more of a girl or boy name?

Frederick is a genuinely unisex name used for both boys and girls. The unisex quality makes it particularly versatile for modern families.