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Frederic Boy

Popularity: #880 · Trend: → Stable

Origin(s)

PronunciationFRED-er-ik / /ˈfrɛdərɪk/

German; French

Meaning

German: peaceful ruler; French: peaceful ruler

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Frederic has its roots in the Germanic elements "frid," meaning peace, and "ric," meaning ruler or power. This etymology can be traced back to the Old High German form "Fridurih," which evolved into various forms across different languages, including the Old French "Frédéric". The name made its way into English usage through Norman influence following the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it was adopted in various forms, including Frederick and Frederic.

Historically, the name Frederic has been borne by several notable figures, particularly in medieval Europe. One prominent example is Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, who reigned in the 12th century and was known as Frederick Barbarossa. His reign marked significant political and cultural developments in the Holy Roman Empire. Additionally, various saints named Frederick, such as Saint Frederick of Utrecht, contributed to the name's religious significance during the Middle Ages. The name also appears in historical texts and translations, including the King James Bible, which helped solidify its presence in English-speaking cultures.

Culturally, the name Frederic has been associated with nobility and leadership, reflecting its meaning of a powerful ruler. This association has allowed the name to endure through centuries, often linked to figures of authority and governance. Variants of the name, such as Fred or Freddie, have also emerged, providing affectionate diminutives that maintain the original's essence while adapting to different cultural contexts. The name's historical resonance and its connections to peace and power have contributed to its lasting significance in various European cultures.

Trend Summary

Frederic has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a resurgence in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Frederick
  • Fritz
  • Frederica

International Variants

  • Frederic (French)
  • Friedrich (German)
  • Frédéric (French)
  • Federico (Italian/Spanish)

Famous people named Frederic

Frederic Chopin is a composer and pianist best known for Nocturnes, Preludes, and Ballades.

Frederic Remington is an artist and sculptor best known for Western-themed paintings and sculptures.

Frederic Bazille is a painter best known for The Studio of the Painter, View of the Village, and The Family Reunion.

Frederic Mistral is a poet best known for Mirèio, and for founding the Félibrige movement.

Frederic Joliot-Curie is a physicist best known for his work in nuclear physics and for the discovery of artificial radioactivity.

Frederic L. H. M. de Jong is a mathematician best known for his work in algebraic topology and homotopy theory.

Fictional characters named Frederic

Frederic Chopin is a fictional character from the video game series Assassin's Creed. He is a renowned composer and pianist who plays a significant role in the story set during the French Revolution.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Frederic was first seen in the United States in 1880. Frederic has ranked as high as #737 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in New York, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Frederic has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Frederic (2024)

StateBirthsShare
NY 5
50%
CA 5
50%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188022
188113
188225
188320
188426
188532
188613
188720
188819
188923
189021
189116
189210
18939
189416
189514
189617
189729
189826
189922
190010
190116
190218
190319
190416
190529
190619
190715
190831
190931
191044
191140
1912118
1913134
1914173
1915240
1916202
1917218
1918202
1919151
1920193
1921202
1922169
1923180
1924174
1925157
1926169
1927167
1928144
1929165
1930163
1931141
1932141
1933175
1934185
1935142
1936175
1937192
1938221
1939207
1940197
1941212
1942257
1943245
1944208
1945224
1946288
1947299
1948255
1949271
1950238
1951241
1952276
1953229
1954225
1955224
1956214
1957188
1958186
1959152
1960143
1961144
1962139
1963127
1964136
1965142
1966116
1967135
1968135
1969129
1970145
1971135
197287
197393
197498
197564
197675
197779
197855
197995
198066
198163
198257
198367
198449
198556
198666
198750
198840
198962
199047
199148
199247
199344
199441
199539
199656
199749
199840
199941
200043
200134
200238
200329
200434
200540
200635
200732
200832
200924
201020
201126
201234
201327
201444
201539
201641
201748
201835
201938
202034
202142
202235
202340
202444