Frederick: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: The name Frederick peaked in the US between 1880 and 1957, being in the top 100th names for boys.

Frederick Overview

Meaning

Peaceful ruler

Gender

Boy

Origin

German

Etymology

Derived from the Old German name “Friedrich,” which combines “fridu” (peace) and “rihhi” (ruler) to mean “peaceful ruler”.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈfrɛdrɪk/

Popularity

Frederick is a classic name found worldwide, notably in Germany, Denmark, and the UK. In the USA, it ranked as the 506th most popular name for boys in 2023.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

9 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Traditional

Associated Traits

Intelligent, noble, strong, wise

Name Day

October 4 (Germany)

Frederick Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Frederic, Friedrich, Federico, Frederico, Fredrik, Frédéric, Fritz

Common Nicknames

Fred, Freddy, Rick, Ricky, Freddie, Rik

Diminutives

Fred, Freddy, Freddie, Rick, Ricky

Famous People

Frederick Douglass
(American Abolitionist)
Frederick the Great
(Prussian King)
Frederick Banting
(Canadian Physician)
Frederick Sanger
(British Biochemist)
Frederick Law Olmsted
(American Landscape Architect)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Frederick Frankenstein
("Young Frankenstein," Film)
Frederick Wentworth
("Persuasion," Novel)
Frederick Clegg
("The Collector," Novel)
Frederick Trumper
("Chess," Musical)
Frederick Fairlie
("The Woman in White," Novel)

Places

Frederick City
(Maryland, USA)
Frederick Town
(Colorado, USA)
Frederick City
(Oklahoma, USA)
Frederick Town
(South Dakota, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Frederick?

Frederick means “peaceful ruler,” often seen as confident leaders with a calm demeanor.

What Is the Origin of The Name Frederick?

Frederick originates from the German name “Fridurih,” composed of the elements “fridu” meaning “peace” and “ric” meaning “ruler” or “power.”

Frederick Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Frederick in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#4732022	#5062023
Top 3 Rankings	#331880	#361881	#371882

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Frederick

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	506 (-33 from 2022)	595 (-53 from 2022)	0.03249
2022	473 (+3 from 2021)	648 (+19 from 2021)	0.03460
2021	476 (+8 from 2020)	629 (+17 from 2020)	0.03357
2020	484 (-8 from 2019)	612 (-3 from 2019)	0.03309
2019	476 (+23 from 2018)	615 (+40 from 2018)	0.03200
2018	499 No change from 2017	575 (-6 from 2017)	0.02958
2017	499 (+13 from 2016)	581 (-2 from 2016)	0.02936
2016	512 (+3 from 2015)	583 (+26 from 2015)	0.02878
2015	515 (-20 from 2014)	557 (-10 from 2014)	0.02724
2014	495 (-3 from 2013)	567 (+11 from 2013)	0.02767
2013	492 (+43 from 2012)	556 (+68 from 2012)	0.02752
2012	535 (+5 from 2011)	488 (+16 from 2011)	0.02405
2011	540 (-47 from 2010)	472 (-55 from 2010)	0.02324
2010	493 (+45 from 2009)	527 (+36 from 2009)	0.02565
2009	538 (-17 from 2008)	491 (-29 from 2008)	0.02315
2008	521 (+9 from 2007)	520 (+36 from 2007)	0.02385
2007	530 (-55 from 2006)	484 (-72 from 2006)	0.02185
2006	475 (-25 from 2005)	556 (-13 from 2005)	0.02536
2005	450 (-3 from 2004)	569 (-12 from 2004)	0.02675
2004	447 (-15 from 2003)	581 (-6 from 2003)	0.02749
2003	432 (-3 from 2002)	587 (+7 from 2002)	0.02794
2002	429 (-21 from 2001)	580 (-34 from 2001)	0.02806
2001	408 (-13 from 2000)	614 (-33 from 2000)	0.02968
2000	395 (-11 from 1999)	647 (-26 from 1999)	0.03098
1999	384 (-22 from 1998)	673 (-47 from 1998)	0.03301
1998	362 (-6 from 1997)	720 (+9 from 1997)	0.03551
1997	356 (-32 from 1996)	711 (-98 from 1996)	0.03559
1996	324 (-8 from 1995)	809 (-21 from 1995)	0.04037
1995	316 (-17 from 1994)	830 (-73 from 1994)	0.04127
1994	299 (-8 from 1993)	903 (-45 from 1993)	0.04430
1993	291 (-16 from 1992)	948 (-88 from 1992)	0.04590
1992	275 (-29 from 1991)	1036 (-99 from 1991)	0.04935
1991	246 (+6 from 1990)	1135 (+59 from 1990)	0.05355
1990	252 (-14 from 1989)	1076 (-38 from 1989)	0.05000
1989	238 (-19 from 1988)	1114 (-64 from 1988)	0.05315
1988	219 (-6 from 1987)	1178 (+8 from 1987)	0.05883
1987	213 (-15 from 1986)	1170 (-99 from 1986)	0.05999
1986	198 (-1 from 1985)	1269 (+45 from 1985)	0.06604
1985	197 No change from 1984	1224 (+3 from 1984)	0.06360
1984	197 (-18 from 1983)	1221 (-216 from 1983)	0.06506
1983	179 (+7 from 1982)	1437 (+71 from 1982)	0.07711
1982	186 (-16 from 1981)	1366 (-103 from 1981)	0.07238
1981	170 (-9 from 1980)	1469 (-139 from 1980)	0.07888
1980	161 (-2 from 1979)	1608 (-30 from 1979)	0.08670
1979	159 (-1 from 1978)	1638 (+105 from 1978)	0.09144
1978	158 (-6 from 1977)	1533 (-95 from 1977)	0.08972
1977	152 (-7 from 1976)	1628 (-103 from 1976)	0.09524
1976	145 (-4 from 1975)	1731 (-56 from 1975)	0.10603
1975	141 (-6 from 1974)	1787 (-141 from 1974)	0.11015
1974	135 (-15 from 1973)	1928 (-255 from 1973)	0.11826
1973	120 (-4 from 1972)	2183 (-255 from 1972)	0.13528
1972	116 (-8 from 1971)	2438 (-536 from 1971)	0.14564
1971	108 (+7 from 1970)	2974 (+87 from 1970)	0.16360
1970	115 (+1 from 1969)	2887 (+114 from 1969)	0.15157
1969	116 (-3 from 1968)	2773 (+162 from 1968)	0.15160
1968	113 (-3 from 1967)	2611 (-204 from 1967)	0.14706
1967	110 (-1 from 1966)	2815 (-70 from 1966)	0.15820
1966	109 (-3 from 1965)	2885 (-269 from 1965)	0.15872
1965	106 (-1 from 1964)	3154 (-203 from 1964)	0.16647
1964	105 (+12 from 1963)	3357 (+234 from 1963)	0.16561
1963	117 (-1 from 1962)	3123 (-135 from 1962)	0.15126
1962	116 (+1 from 1961)	3258 (-55 from 1961)	0.15502
1961	117 (-3 from 1960)	3313 (-164 from 1960)	0.15359
1960	114 No change from 1959	3477 (-69 from 1959)	0.16057
1959	114 (-4 from 1958)	3546 (-93 from 1958)	0.16368
1958	110 (-11 from 1957)	3639 (-370 from 1957)	0.16887
1957	99 (-8 from 1956)	4009 (-296 from 1956)	0.18315
1956	91 (-5 from 1955)	4305 (-246 from 1955)	0.20058
1955	86 (-3 from 1954)	4551 (-192 from 1954)	0.21772
1954	83 (-3 from 1953)	4743 (-122 from 1953)	0.22923
1953	80 (-4 from 1952)	4865 (-113 from 1952)	0.24298
1952	76 (+2 from 1951)	4978 (-6 from 1951)	0.25227
1951	78 (-3 from 1950)	4984 (+325 from 1950)	0.26071
1950	75 (-5 from 1949)	4659 (-88 from 1949)	0.25616
1949	70 (+5 from 1948)	4747 (+230 from 1948)	0.26343
1948	75 (+3 from 1947)	4517 (-119 from 1947)	0.25337
1947	78 (-3 from 1946)	4636 (+404 from 1946)	0.24957
1946	75 (+2 from 1945)	4232 (+796 from 1945)	0.25642
1945	77 (-4 from 1944)	3436 (-147 from 1944)	0.25054
1944	73 (-3 from 1943)	3583 (-257 from 1943)	0.25793
1943	70 (-2 from 1942)	3840 (+101 from 1942)	0.26399
1942	68 (+1 from 1941)	3739 (+452 from 1941)	0.26550
1941	69 (-1 from 1940)	3287 (+192 from 1940)	0.26194
1940	68 (+3 from 1939)	3095 (+122 from 1939)	0.26092
1939	71 No change from 1938	2973 (+38 from 1938)	0.26233
1938	71 (-3 from 1937)	2935 (+57 from 1937)	0.25825
1937	68 (+2 from 1936)	2878 (+62 from 1936)	0.26316
1936	70 (+3 from 1935)	2816 (+233 from 1935)	0.26459
1935	73 (+4 from 1934)	2583 (+152 from 1934)	0.24149
1934	77 (+1 from 1933)	2431 (+110 from 1933)	0.22892
1933	78 (-5 from 1932)	2321 (-180 from 1932)	0.22751
1932	73 No change from 1931	2501 (+31 from 1931)	0.23277
1931	73 (+1 from 1930)	2470 (-225 from 1930)	0.23089
1930	74 (-7 from 1929)	2695 (-118 from 1929)	0.23860
1929	67 No change from 1928	2813 (-69 from 1928)	0.25397
1928	67 (-3 from 1927)	2882 (-166 from 1927)	0.25255
1927	64 No change from 1926	3048 (-72 from 1926)	0.26232
1926	64 (+1 from 1925)	3120 (+32 from 1925)	0.27238
1925	65 (-3 from 1924)	3088 (-191 from 1924)	0.26819
1924	62 (-2 from 1923)	3279 (+1 from 1923)	0.28049
1923	60 No change from 1922	3278 (-75 from 1922)	0.28951
1922	60 (+1 from 1921)	3353 (-23 from 1921)	0.29799
1921	61 (-1 from 1920)	3376 (+101 from 1920)	0.29668
1920	60 (+4 from 1919)	3275 (+343 from 1919)	0.29752
1919	64 (-5 from 1918)	2932 (-419 from 1918)	0.28877
1918	59 (-8 from 1917)	3351 (-104 from 1917)	0.31955
1917	51 (+1 from 1916)	3455 (+130 from 1916)	0.36016
1916	52 No change from 1915	3325 (+166 from 1915)	0.36014
1915	52 No change from 1914	3159 (+744 from 1914)	0.35860
1914	52 (-3 from 1913)	2415 (+419 from 1913)	0.35342
1913	49 (+2 from 1912)	1996 (+432 from 1912)	0.37222
1912	51 (+1 from 1911)	1564 (+762 from 1911)	0.34643
1911	52 (+17 from 1910)	802 (+259 from 1910)	0.33224
1910	69 (-5 from 1909)	543 (+66 from 1909)	0.26041
1909	64 (+4 from 1908)	477 (+39 from 1908)	0.26970
1908	68 No change from 1907	438 (+28 from 1907)	0.26327
1907	68 (-2 from 1906)	410 (+33 from 1906)	0.25854
1906	66 (+1 from 1905)	377 (-4 from 1905)	0.26169
1905	67 (-4 from 1904)	381 (-9 from 1904)	0.26600
1904	63 No change from 1903	390 (+49 from 1903)	0.28158
1903	63 (+7 from 1902)	341 (+11 from 1902)	0.26368
1902	70 (-10 from 1901)	330 (-6 from 1901)	0.24859
1901	60 (+4 from 1900)	336 (-84 from 1900)	0.29068
1900	64 (-9 from 1899)	420 (+70 from 1899)	0.25906
1899	55 (+5 from 1898)	350 (-18 from 1898)	0.30384
1898	60 (-4 from 1897)	368 (-1 from 1897)	0.27858
1897	56 (+1 from 1896)	369 (-12 from 1896)	0.30260
1896	57 (-3 from 1895)	381 (-25 from 1895)	0.29519
1895	54 No change from 1894	406 (-7 from 1894)	0.32059
1894	54 (-7 from 1893)	413 (-19 from 1893)	0.33069
1893	47 (+1 from 1892)	432 (-21 from 1892)	0.35690
1892	48 (-4 from 1891)	453 (+41 from 1891)	0.34461
1891	44 (-1 from 1890)	412 (+2 from 1890)	0.37706
1890	43 (+1 from 1889)	410 (-41 from 1889)	0.34252
1889	44 (-2 from 1888)	451 (-45 from 1888)	0.37889
1888	42 (-5 from 1887)	496 (+32 from 1887)	0.38181
1887	37 (+3 from 1886)	464 (+3 from 1886)	0.42448
1886	40 (-3 from 1885)	461 (-5 from 1885)	0.38726
1885	37 (+5 from 1884)	466 (+12 from 1884)	0.40191
1884	42 (-5 from 1883)	454 (+16 from 1883)	0.36989
1883	37 No change from 1882	438 (-19 from 1882)	0.38942
1882	37 (-1 from 1881)	457 (+24 from 1881)	0.37450
1881	36 (-3 from 1880)	433 (-50 from 1880)	0.39990
1880	33 First SSA data recorded	483 First SSA data recorded	0.40794

American States Popularity Rankings for Frederick

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

#4042021

#3362022

#4972023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#2742021

#4172022

#3782023

Massachusetts (MA)

#2862021

#2352022

#3602023

Michigan (MI)

#3642021

#3212022

#4522023

Ohio (OH)

#4292021

#4402022

#4802023

California (CA)

#5422021

#6162022

#8352023

New Jersey (NJ)

#4422021

#4292022

#4262023

Illinois (IL)

#4652021

#3732022

#4552023

Texas (TX)

#7372021

#6942022

#7762023

Florida (FL)

#7502021

#5602022

#6322023

Wisconsin (WI)

#4902021

#3322022

#2392023

Maryland (MD)

#3352021

#6782022

#3862023

Connecticut (CT)

#4582021

#2922022

#2572023

Indiana (IN)

#4692021

#4652022

#4612023

North Carolina (NC)

#5782021

#4842022

#4242023

Virginia (VA)

#4582021

#3912022

#4152023

Georgia (GA)

#5362021

#5302022

#5312023

Missouri (MO)

#4502021

#3902022

#4382023

Louisiana (LA)

#4862020

#4982021

#6652023

Alabama (AL)

#5042020

#4872021

#5842023

Minnesota (MN)

#2032021

#2282022

#2532023

Tennessee (TN)

#4892021

#5822022

#5482023

Washington (WA)

#6002021

#3232022

#3822023

South Carolina (SC)

#5752020

#5162021

#5392022

Mississippi (MS)

#4782018

#2742019

#4762020

Maine (ME)

#2162014

#2552015

#2442021

Iowa (IA)

#3672021

#4362022

#5212023

West Virginia (WV)

#2612001

#2442008

#3212011

District of Columbia (DC)

#2242020

#1942021

#1712022

Rhode Island (RI)

#1631993

#1311994

#1812023

Kentucky (KY)

#4282021

#5002022

#6132023

Kansas (KS)

#4652020

#5302021

#5962023

Colorado (CO)

#6092021

#6042022

#2942023

Arkansas (AR)

#5802016

#5732021

#4382022

New Hampshire (NH)

#2222021

#1742022

#1672023

Nebraska (NE)

#4122006

#3172021

#4642023

Oregon (OR)

#3642021

#5002022

#3402023

Oklahoma (OK)

#6262019

#7232022

#6462023

Arizona (AZ)

#5742021

#9492022

#9552023

Hawaii (HI)

#2561998

#1962003

#2772007

Vermont (VT)

#991981

#1151982

#1171984

Delaware (DE)

#1731995

#1341996

#1621998

New Mexico (NM)

#3851997

#3851998

#4192010

North Dakota (ND)

#1651967

#981972

#2632015

Montana (MT)

#1371973

#1581980

#1781981

South Dakota (SD)

#1521968

#2272019

#2392020

Utah (UT)

#3942021

#3582022

#3902023

Alaska (AK)

#1321994

#1211997

#2052015

Idaho (ID)

#4062015

#4152019

#2962022

Nevada (NV)

#5322018

#4782019

#4582022

Wyoming (WY)

#1411955

#1271957

#1441979

Popularity Rankings for Frederick in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#652019

#632020

#612021

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#821955

#941958

#961959

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#1592021

#932022

#1272023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#1862021

#1692022

#2272023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#1762021

#1772022

#2492023

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#2182021

#2332022

#1812023

Popularity in France

France

#1961975

#1921976

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#3492021

#3292022

#2682023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#2952020

#4692021

#5982022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#4512003

#3942005

#3272009

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#3522019

#3702020

#4462023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#9152020

#8692021

#9182022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Frederick a Name for Boys or Girls?

Frederick is traditionally a boy’s name due to its strong meaning.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Frederick

Frederic
Friedrich
Federico
Frederico
Fredrik
Frédéric
Fritz

Fred
Freddy
Rick
Ricky
Freddie
Rik

Fred
Freddy
Freddie
Rick
Ricky

Frederick in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Frederick Douglass (Abolitionist, 1818-1895): An influential American social reformer, orator, writer, and statesman who escaped from slavery and became a leader in the abolitionist movement.
Frederick the Great (King of Prussia, 1712-1786): A renowned military leader and monarch known for his military campaigns and modernization of Prussia.
Frederick Banting (Physician, 1891-1941): A Canadian medical scientist and doctor, co-discoverer of insulin.
Frederick Sanger (Biochemist, 1918-2013): A British biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry twice.
Frederick Law Olmsted (Landscape Architect, 1822-1903): An American landscape architect who designed many famous parks, including Central Park in New York City.

Frederick Frankenstein ("Young Frankenstein," 1974 Film): A descendant of the original Dr. Frankenstein who tries to prove that his ancestor's work can be done correctly.
Frederick Wentworth ("Persuasion," 1818 Novel): A dashing naval officer and the romantic interest of Anne Elliot.
Frederick Clegg ("The Collector," 1963 Novel): A disturbed young man who kidnaps a woman and holds her captive in his basement.
Frederick Trumper ("Chess," 1984 Musical): An American chess champion whose personal life and career become entangled in a political drama.
Frederick Fairlie ("The Woman in White," 1859 Novel): A hypochondriac and effeminate gentleman who is the uncle of one of the main characters.

Frederick City (Maryland, USA): A historic city in Maryland known for its well-preserved architecture and vibrant downtown area.
Frederick Town (Colorado, USA): A growing town in Colorado known for its scenic views of the Rocky Mountains and community events.
Frederick City (Oklahoma, USA): A small city in Oklahoma known for its agricultural industry and friendly residents.
Frederick Town (South Dakota, USA): A quaint town in South Dakota known for its rural charm and annual Frederick Harvest Festival.

Meaning: People's ruler
Origin: GermanicDerek
Meaning: Forever ruler, always ruler, ever, eternal ruler
Origin: NorseEric
Cedric
Meaning: Royal ruler, greatest champion
Origin: WelshKendrick
Meaning: Patrician, noble, son of Patrick
Origin: LatinPatrick
Roderick
Merrick
Ulric
Alaric
Broderick

Sibling Names for Frederick

For a Brother
For a Sister

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Frederick Name Meaning