Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Frederick
BoyGermanic, English· “peaceful ruler”
- Meaning
- peaceful ruler
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- FREHD-rihk
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #435
- US babies 2025
- 728
- Best rank
- #33 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1951
Meaning and origin of Frederick
Frederick is a Germanic and English name that means “peaceful ruler”.
Frederick comes from the Germanic Fridurih, made up of frid, "peace", and ric, "ruler" or "power", giving the meaning "peaceful ruler". It was a favorite among German royalty: Frederick Barbarossa was a medieval Holy Roman Emperor, and Frederick the Great was an eighteenth-century king of Prussia. The name became common in England in the Hanoverian period. Frederick Douglass, the abolitionist and writer who escaped slavery, is one of its most admired American bearers. The name feels distinguished and warm. Fred, Freddie and Fritz are nicknames, and Federico and Frédéric are European forms.
Other spellings with the same sound: Fredrick, Frederic, Fredric, Fredrich.
Popularity over time
Frederick 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #33 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1951, when 4,984 were named Frederick. In 2025, 728 babies were named Frederick, and it ranked #435 nationally. That is 30% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #60 in 1920, #75 in 1950, #161 in 1980, #395 in 2000, #493 in 2010, and #435 in 2025. Of the 266,060 US boys named Frederick since records began, 17% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 39,114 babies. Since 2010, 9,483 more have been named Frederick.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Allen, Lee, Gordon, Randolph, and Donnie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Frederick ranked highest in Maine, New Hampshire, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | #161 | 8 |
| New Hampshire | #192 | 7 |
| Minnesota | #215 | 30 |
| Connecticut | #227 | 15 |
| Montana | #250 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Frederick is usually pronounced FREHD-rihk, with two syllables. It has nine letters, starts with F and ends in “-ck”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Fredrick, Frederic, Fredric, and Fredrich.
Middle names for Frederick
A few middle names that flow with Frederick: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Frederick
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Lists that include Frederick
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Frederick mean?
Frederick is a Germanic and English name that means “peaceful ruler”.
What is the origin of the name Frederick?
Frederick has Germanic and English roots. Frederick comes from the Germanic Fridurih, made up of frid, "peace", and ric, "ruler" or "power", giving the meaning "peaceful ruler".
Is Frederick a popular name?
Yes. Frederick ranked #435 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Frederick a boy or girl name?
Frederick is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Frederick?
Frederick is usually pronounced FREHD-rihk. 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