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Frederick Name Meaning

Origin and History

Frederick is a name with Germanic roots that means 'peaceful ruler'. It is derived from the Old Germanic name Frithuric, which is composed of the elements frithu, meaning 'peace', and ric, meaning 'ruler'. The name was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century and became popular among the royal families of Europe. The most famous bearer of the name Frederick was Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, who ruled from 1220 to 1250. He was known for his intellectual pursuits and patronage of the arts and sciences. Other notable Fredericks include Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, and Frederick Douglass, the American abolitionist and statesman.

Popularity

Frederick was a popular name in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reaching its peak in the 1910s. It has since declined in popularity but remains a classic and timeless name. In 2020, it ranked #517 in popularity for boys' names in the United States.

Famous People

There have been many famous people with the name Frederick throughout history. Some notable examples include: - Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor - Frederick the Great, King of Prussia - Frederick Douglass, American abolitionist and statesman - Frederick Law Olmsted, American landscape architect - Frederick Banting, Canadian physician and Nobel laureate - Frederick Ashton, British ballet dancer and choreographer - Frederick Forsyth, British author - Frederick Sanger, British biochemist and Nobel laureate - Frederick Wiseman, American documentary filmmaker