"peaceful ruler, peaceful power"
Origin: Old Germanic
Language: French
Frederic
Pronunciation: [ fr-EHDR-ihk ]
Does Frederic flow with your last name?
A stately name meaning peaceful ruler with royal pedigree
French
German
English
Scandinavian
Belgian
Classic
Royal
Sophisticated
Vintage
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"peace + ruler"
Origin: Old High German
Language: German
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The Story of Frederic
Frederic (the French spelling of Frederick) is composed of Old German elements 'frid' meaning peace and 'ric' meaning power or ruler — thus 'peaceful ruler'. The name became common among French royalty. Frederick the Great of Prussia made this name synonymous with enlightened rulership in the 18th century.
Frederic has been a classic French and Belgian name for centuries. In English-speaking countries, Frederick with the 'k' was more common but has been declining since the early 20th century. The French spelling gives it a distinctly Francophone character.
The name carries immense historical weight through Frederick the Great of Prussia and composer Frederic Chopin. Belgian and French royal families have borne this name for generations.
Historical Record
Frederic first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 6,361 babies have been named Frederic in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Frederic is past its peak , currently ranked #2,888 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Frederick the Great corresponded personally with Voltaire and is considered one of the Enlightenment's greatest patron rulers
- Frederic Chopin composed his iconic Nocturnes and Polonaises while living in Paris
- Frederick Douglass chose his surname from a character in a Walter Scott poem after escaping slavery
Frederic in Other Languages
French
Frederic
German
Friedrich
Polish
Fryderyk
Italian
Federico
Spanish
Federico
Swedish
Fredrik
Popularity Over Time
#2,888
Current Rank
Peaked 1952
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Frederic
F
Frederick Douglass
Activist
1818
American abolitionist, writer, and statesman who escaped slavery to become one of history's greatest orators
F
Frederic Chopin
Musician
1810
Polish-French composer and virtuoso pianist, one of the greatest Romantic composers for the piano
F
Frederick the Great
Royalty
1712
King of Prussia (1740-1786), military genius and enlightened monarch who transformed Prussia into a European power
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Compare Frederic with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,888
- Total SSA Count
- 44
- Cultural Origins
- French German English Scandinavian Belgian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Fred
Freddie
Rick
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Frederic
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Greek origin
"rule, standard"
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American English origin
"surname used as honor name"
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Old French/English origin
"hill, marshland"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Frederic
What does the name Frederic mean?
"peaceful ruler, peaceful power" (from Old Germanic). "peace + ruler" (from Old High German). Frederic (the French spelling of Frederick) is composed of Old German elements 'frid' meaning peace and 'ric' meaning power or ruler — thus 'peaceful ruler'. The name became common among French royalty. Frederick the Great of Prussia made this name synonymous with enlightened rulership in the 18th century.
What is the origin of the name Frederic?
Frederic has Old Germanic, Old High German, French, German, English, Scandinavian, and Belgian origins. In Old Germanic, it means "peaceful ruler, peaceful power". In Old High German, it means "peace + ruler".
Is Frederic a boy or girl name?
Frederic is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Frederic?
Frederic is pronounced fr-EHDR-ihk.
How popular is the name Frederic?
Frederic is currently ranked #2888 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Frederic?
Common nicknames for Frederic include Fred, Freddie, and Rick.
What are good middle names for Frederic?
Popular middle name pairings include Frederic Louis, Frederic Henri, Frederic Charles, Frederic William, Frederic James, and Frederic Auguste.
What are good sibling names for Frederic?
Names that pair well with Frederic as siblings include Henri, Leopold, Cecile, Marguerite, Albert, Mathilde, and Edouard.
How many syllables does Frederic have?
Frederic has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Frederic a common or rare name?
Frederic is an uncommon name, ranked #2888 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Frederic?
About the Name Frederic
Frederic is a boy name with French, German, English, Scandinavian, and Belgian origins . The name means "peaceful ruler, peaceful power" in Old Germanic .
Frederic is currently ranked #2,888 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Frederic has 3 syllables and is pronounced fr-EHDR-ihk, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Frederic include Fred, Freddie, and Rick. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Frederic include Frederick, Freddy, Fredrick, Fred, Fredy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis