Frederic Boy
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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
NY | 5 | |
CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 22 |
1881 | 13 |
1882 | 25 |
1883 | 20 |
1884 | 26 |
1885 | 32 |
1886 | 13 |
1887 | 20 |
1888 | 19 |
1889 | 23 |
1890 | 21 |
1891 | 16 |
1892 | 10 |
1893 | 9 |
1894 | 16 |
1895 | 14 |
1896 | 17 |
1897 | 29 |
1898 | 26 |
1899 | 22 |
1900 | 10 |
1901 | 16 |
1902 | 18 |
1903 | 19 |
1904 | 16 |
1905 | 29 |
1906 | 19 |
1907 | 15 |
1908 | 31 |
1909 | 31 |
1910 | 44 |
1911 | 40 |
1912 | 118 |
1913 | 134 |
1914 | 173 |
1915 | 240 |
1916 | 202 |
1917 | 218 |
1918 | 202 |
1919 | 151 |
1920 | 193 |
1921 | 202 |
1922 | 169 |
1923 | 180 |
1924 | 174 |
1925 | 157 |
1926 | 169 |
1927 | 167 |
1928 | 144 |
1929 | 165 |
1930 | 163 |
1931 | 141 |
1932 | 141 |
1933 | 175 |
1934 | 185 |
1935 | 142 |
1936 | 175 |
1937 | 192 |
1938 | 221 |
1939 | 207 |
1940 | 197 |
1941 | 212 |
1942 | 257 |
1943 | 245 |
1944 | 208 |
1945 | 224 |
1946 | 288 |
1947 | 299 |
1948 | 255 |
1949 | 271 |
1950 | 238 |
1951 | 241 |
1952 | 276 |
1953 | 229 |
1954 | 225 |
1955 | 224 |
1956 | 214 |
1957 | 188 |
1958 | 186 |
1959 | 152 |
1960 | 143 |
1961 | 144 |
1962 | 139 |
1963 | 127 |
1964 | 136 |
1965 | 142 |
1966 | 116 |
1967 | 135 |
1968 | 135 |
1969 | 129 |
1970 | 145 |
1971 | 135 |
1972 | 87 |
1973 | 93 |
1974 | 98 |
1975 | 64 |
1976 | 75 |
1977 | 79 |
1978 | 55 |
1979 | 95 |
1980 | 66 |
1981 | 63 |
1982 | 57 |
1983 | 67 |
1984 | 49 |
1985 | 56 |
1986 | 66 |
1987 | 50 |
1988 | 40 |
1989 | 62 |
1990 | 47 |
1991 | 48 |
1992 | 47 |
1993 | 44 |
1994 | 41 |
1995 | 39 |
1996 | 56 |
1997 | 49 |
1998 | 40 |
1999 | 41 |
2000 | 43 |
2001 | 34 |
2002 | 38 |
2003 | 29 |
2004 | 34 |
2005 | 40 |
2006 | 35 |
2007 | 32 |
2008 | 32 |
2009 | 24 |
2010 | 20 |
2011 | 26 |
2012 | 34 |
2013 | 27 |
2014 | 44 |
2015 | 39 |
2016 | 41 |
2017 | 48 |
2018 | 35 |
2019 | 38 |
2020 | 34 |
2021 | 42 |
2022 | 35 |
2023 | 40 |
2024 | 44 |