Frederick is a classic male given name of German origin. It is composed of two elements: "fridu" which means peace, and "ric" which means power or ruler. Therefore, Frederick's meaning can be interpreted as "peaceful ruler" or "having power over peace".
The name Frederick has a long history that dates back to the Middle Ages in Germany. It was first used by members of the House of Welf, who were powerful nobles and rulers in medieval Europe. The most famous bearer of this name is probably Frederick II, also known as Frederick the Great, who was King of Prussia from 1740 until his death in 1786.
Frederick has been popular throughout history, particularly in Germanic countries such as Germany, England, and Scandinavia. In fact, it was one of the most common male names in England during the Victorian era.
Today, Frederick continues to be used as a given name for boys around the world. While its popularity may have fluctuated over time, it remains a timeless choice that carries with it a rich history and meaningful signification.
The name Frederick experienced a significant peak in popularity between 1912 and 1922, with over 3000 births per year during this period. However, it began to decline thereafter, reaching its lowest point in recent years at around 500 births annually from the mid-1970s onwards. Despite this decline, Frederick remains a classic and timeless name, with steady popularity throughout the 20th century and into the early 21st century, culminating in over 600 births per year since 2019.