Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Frederic
BoyFrench, Germanic· “French form of Frederick; peaceful ruler”
- Meaning
- French form of Frederick; peaceful ruler
- Origin
- French, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- FRED-rik
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,953
- US babies 2025
- 42
- Best rank
- #302 (1885)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Frederic
Frederic is a French and Germanic name that means “French form of Frederick; peaceful ruler”.
Frederic is the French form of Frederick, a Germanic name made from fridu, peace, and ric, ruler. In French it is written Frédéric, with accents that are usually dropped in English. The name was borne by many European rulers in its German form Friedrich, including Frederick the Great of Prussia, and in its French form it is linked with the composer Frédéric Chopin, who spent his adult life in Paris. In English it is often said FRED-rik, while French speakers say fray-day-REEK. Without the final k it looks lighter on the page than Frederick, and it keeps Fred and Freddie within reach.
Other spellings with the same sound: Frederick, Fredrick, Fredric, Fredrich.
Popularity over time
Frederic has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 98 different years. Its best national rank was #302 in 1885, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 299 were named Frederic. In 2025, 42 babies were named Frederic, and it ranked #2,953 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #434 in 1920, #432 in 1950, #1,114 in 1980, #2,266 in 2000, #4,732 in 2010, and #2,953 in 2025. Of the 14,440 US boys named Frederic since records began, 17% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 2,173 babies. Since 2010, 589 more have been named Frederic.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Linwood, Lon, Cleveland, Gale, and Dickie.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Frederic is usually pronounced FRED-rik, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with F and ends in “-ic”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Frederick, Fredrick, Fredric, and Fredrich.
Middle names for Frederic
A few middle names that flow with Frederic: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Frederic
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Lists that include Frederic
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Frederic mean?
Frederic is a French and Germanic name that means “French form of Frederick; peaceful ruler”.
What is the origin of the name Frederic?
Frederic has French and Germanic roots. Frederic is the French form of Frederick, a Germanic name made from fridu, peace, and ric, ruler.
Is Frederic a popular name?
Not especially. Frederic ranked #2,953 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Frederic a boy or girl name?
Frederic is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Frederic?
Frederic is usually pronounced FRED-rik. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings