Frederic is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German words "frith" meaning peace and "rad" meaning counsel or advice. The name was popularized by Charlemagne's son Frederick I who ruled as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in the ninth century.
The name Frederic means "peaceful ruler" or "wise in peace." It has been used throughout history by several notable figures including Frederick Barbarossa, the medieval German king whose nickname translates to red beard; and Frederick II of Prussia, also known as Frederick the Great, who ruled during the 18th century and was renowned for his military prowess and enlightened policies.
In literature and arts, Frederic has been featured in works such as "The Pirates of Penzance," a comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan where Frederic is the protagonist; and "The Princess Bride" film where Westley/Fezzik/Dread Pirate Roberts introduces himself to Buttercup using the name Frederic.
Today, Frederic remains a popular choice for parents looking for a classic yet distinctive name for their sons. It has been consistently ranked among the top 1000 baby boy names in the United States since the mid-20th century.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Frederic in the United States from 1880 to 2023. The data demonstrates a significant variation in popularity over time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Frederic was relatively common, with birth numbers ranging between 9 and 29 per year during this period. However, there were notable fluctuations, with peaks such as 118 births in 1912 and 240 births in 1915.
The mid-20th century saw a decline in the popularity of the name Frederic. From the 1940s to the 1960s, the number of annual births with this name typically ranged between 130 and 280, with occasional peaks like 299 births in 1947.
Starting from the late 1960s, there was a consistent decrease in the popularity of Frederic. By the 1980s, annual births with this name had dropped below 100, reaching as low as 34 births in 2001. This trend continued into the 21st century, with numbers typically between 20 and 50 per year.
However, since around 2016, there has been a slight increase in the popularity of Frederic. From 2016 to 2023, the number of annual births with this name ranged from 41 to 48, showing that while it remains relatively uncommon, it is no longer as rare as it was earlier in the 21st century.
In total, there have been 14,353 births with the name Frederic in the United States from 1880 to 2023. This data provides insight into the changing trends of naming practices over time and demonstrates that while Frederic has had periods of popularity, it is currently not one of the most common names chosen for newborns in the U.S.