Names › Boys' names › F › Frederick
Frederick
Meaning: peaceful ruler · Origin: Germanic · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
From Germanic frid ('peace') + ric ('ruler'). Frederick the Great ruled Prussia in the 18th century.
Famous people named Frederick
- Frederick Douglass (abolitionist)
- Frederick the Great
Nicknames
Fred, Freddie, Rick
Variants & related names
Friedrich, Federico, Frédéric
Frederick name art
A free preview of a printable “Frederick” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Frederick mean?
Frederick means “peaceful ruler”. It comes from Germanic.
Is Frederick a popular name?
Frederick is a classic boys' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Frederick?
Fred, Freddie, Rick.
What are other forms of Frederick?
Friedrich, Federico, Frédéric.
Similar names
William · Miles · Robert · Leonardo · Everett · Myles
More: names starting with F · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.