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.
"Fredric's popularity peaked around the early 1900s with over 200 births annually from 1912 to 1927. However, it saw a significant decline starting in the late 1950s and has remained quite low since then, with fewer than 60 births per year after 1971."