Frederick (given name) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frederick
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and the Eagle
Pronunciation	fred-ƏR-ik
Gender	Male
Name day	July 18
Origin
Word/Name	Germanic
Meaning	"peaceful ruler"
Other names
Related names	Frid, Fritz, Rick, Ricky, Fred, Fedde, Freddy, Redd, Friedrich, Federico, Fredrik, Fadrique

The name Frederick is a classic boy's name with a strong meaning. It means "peaceful ruler." This name comes from old Germanic words. The word frid means "peace," and ric means "ruler" or "power." Many important people throughout history have carried this name.

For girls, a similar name is Frederica.

What Does Frederick Mean?

The name Frederick has a rich history. Its roots are in the ancient Germanic languages. The combination of "peace" and "ruler" suggests a leader who brings calm and order.

How Popular is the Name?

The name Frederick was very popular in the United States for many years. Between 1880 and 1957, it was often among the top 100 names for boys. Over time, its popularity changed. By 2009, it ranked as the 536th most popular name for boys in the U.S.

In England and Wales, Frederick was the 99th most popular name for boys in 2007. A shorter version, Freddy, was also quite popular. It ranked as the 60th most popular name for boys in England and Wales in 2008.

Different Ways to Say Frederick

The name Frederick has many forms in different languages. This shows how widely it has been used around the world! Here are a few examples:

• In German, it's often Friedrich or Fritz.
• In Spanish and Italian, it's Federico.
• In French, it's Frédéric.
• In Dutch, you might hear Frederik or Freek.
• In Danish and Norwegian, it's Fredrik.

Famous People Named Frederick

Many famous people throughout history have carried the name Frederick. They include kings, emperors, artists, scientists, and more.

Rulers and Royals

The name Frederick has been very popular among kings and rulers in Europe.

• Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor (1122–1190), also known as Barbarossa, was a powerful Holy Roman Emperor. He was known for his strong leadership. He worked to unite different parts of his empire.
• Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor (1194–1250) was another important Holy Roman Emperor. He was a very educated ruler. He showed great interest in science and art.
• Frederick II of Prussia (1712–1786), often called Frederick the Great, was a King of Prussia. He was a skilled military leader. He helped make Prussia a strong European power. He also supported arts and sciences in his kingdom.
• Frederik X of Denmark (born 1968) is the current King of Denmark. He became king in January 2024.

Artists, Scientists, and Other Influencers

Beyond royalty, many Fredericks have made a mark in other fields.

• Fred Astaire (1899–1987) was a famous American dancer, actor, and singer. He is known for his elegant dance style. He starred in many classic Hollywood movies.
• Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849) was a brilliant Polish composer and pianist. He created beautiful music, especially for the piano. His work is a key part of the Romantic Era in music.
• Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) was an important American social reformer. He was also a writer and a powerful speaker. He fought for the rights of African Americans. He was a strong voice against slavery.
• Federico Fellini (1920–1993) was a famous Italian filmmaker. He directed many classic movies. These films are still studied and enjoyed today.
• Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) was an American landscape architect. He designed many famous parks. This includes Central Park in New York City. He created beautiful green spaces for everyone to enjoy.
• Frederick Sanger (1918–2013) was a British biochemist. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry twice! He made important discoveries about the structure of proteins and DNA.
• Frederick D. Gregory (born 1941) is a former United States Air Force pilot and NASA astronaut. He flew on several Space Shuttle missions. He later became the Deputy Administrator of NASA.

Fictional Characters

The name Frederick also appears in popular stories and shows.

• Fred Jones is a well-known character from the Scooby-Doo series. He often leads the mystery-solving gang.
• Frederick Kreiburg is a character in the video game Identity V.

See Also

• Frederica (given name)
• Fredericks (surname)