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Frederick: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know

Frederick is a Germanic name meaning 'peaceful ruler', from frid ('peace') and ric ('ruler').

#435Most popular boy name in the US (2025)

At a Glance

Pronunciation
FRED-rikˈfrɛd.rɪk
Origin
Germanic
Meaning
Frederick is a Germanic name meaning 'peaceful ruler', from frid ('peace') and ric ('ruler').
Gender
Boy's name
Syllables
2
Nicknames
Fred, Freddie, Freddy, Rick
US Popularity (2025)
#435 — 📈 Rising

What Does Frederick Mean?

Frederick comes from the Old German Friedrich, built from frid, 'peace', and ric, 'ruler', so it means 'peaceful ruler'. The name was carried by several Holy Roman Emperors and kings of Prussia, including Frederick the Great, who ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786 and was a flute player and a friend of Voltaire.

In English it became more common under the German-born House of Hanover in the eighteenth century. It has relatives in almost every European language: Frédéric in French, Federico in Italian and Spanish, Fritz in German, and Fredrik in Scandinavia.

The best-known American Frederick is Frederick Douglass, born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, who escaped slavery in 1838, became a leading abolitionist, writer and speaker, and chose his surname from a character in Walter Scott's 'The Lady of the Lake'.

How Popular Is Frederick?

#435435th most popular boy name in the US
📈 Rising

Frederick was #515 in 2015, #476 in 2019 and #422 in 2024, then #435 in 2025.

Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.

Middle Names That Go with Frederick

Classic pairings

  • Frederick James
  • Frederick William
  • Frederick Alexander
  • Frederick Henry

Modern pairings

  • Frederick Atlas
  • Frederick Wilder
  • Frederick Beckett
  • Frederick Jasper

One-syllable options

  • Frederick Reid
  • Frederick Cole
  • Frederick Grant
  • Frederick Blake

Family-name bridges

  • Frederick John
  • Frederick David
  • Frederick Thomas
  • Frederick Joseph

Names Similar to Frederick

If you love Frederick, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.

OliverLatinOliver is a name of Latin origin meaning 'olive tree' or 'peace'.#3HenryGermanicHenry means 'ruler of the household' in its core essence.#6TheodoreGreekTheodore means 'gift of God' in Greek.AlexanderGreekAlexander means 'defender of the people'.LouisGermanicLouis is a Germanic name, through French, meaning 'famous warrior'.#249HugoGermanicHugo is a Germanic name from hug, meaning 'mind', 'heart' or 'spirit'.#377TristanWelshTristan means 'tumult' or 'sorrowful' in its Welsh origin.StefanGermanStefan means 'crowned' or 'garlanded' in German.

Sibling Names That Go with Frederick

💙 Brother names

HenryLouisTheodoreHugo

💗 Sister names

MatildaEleanorJosephineClara

Famous People Named Frederick

  • Frederick DouglassAmerican abolitionist, writer and orator who escaped slavery in 1838.
  • Frederick the GreatKing of Prussia from 1740 to 1786, known for military success and patronage of the arts.
  • Frédéric ChopinPolish composer and pianist, born Fryderyk Chopin.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Frederick

Is Frederick a boy or girl name?

Frederick is primarily a boy's name. It is very rarely used for girls.

How do you pronounce Frederick?

Frederick is pronounced FRED-rik (IPA: ˈfrɛd.rɪk). It has 2 syllables. Common nicknames include Fred, Freddie, Freddy, Rick.

Is Frederick a Germanic name?

Frederick is of Germanic origin. Frederick is a Germanic name meaning 'peaceful ruler', from frid ('peace') and ric ('ruler').

What does Frederick mean?

Frederick is a Germanic name meaning 'peaceful ruler', from frid ('peace') and ric ('ruler').

Frederick comes from the Old German Friedrich, built from frid, 'peace', and ric, 'ruler', so it means 'peaceful ruler'. The name was carried by several Holy Roman Emperors and kings of Prussia, including Frederick the Great, who ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786 and was a flute player and a friend of Voltaire.

Is Frederick a popular name in 2026?

Yes, Frederick is a highly popular name. It ranked #435 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is currently trending upward. Frederick was #515 in 2015, #476 in 2019 and #422 in 2024, then #435 in 2025.

What are good middle names for Frederick?

Good middle names for Frederick include classic choices like Frederick James and Frederick William, modern options like Frederick Atlas and Frederick Wilder, and crisp one-syllable pairings like Frederick Reid and Frederick Cole. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.

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