Today’s choice is either a neglected classic begging for revival or a hopelessly stodgy moniker best left in the past.
Thanks to Cat for suggesting our Name of the Day: Frederick.
Frederick has a regal sound, and indeed his meaning matches up. The Germanic elements frid – peace – and ric – ruler – combined into Fridurih and eventually Friedrich. It caught on among the Germans, Austrians and Scandinavians and you can find plenty of kings and aristocrats wearing the name.
Frederick the Great – King Frederick II of Prussia – is remembered as an enlightened despot; one of those 18th century rulers influenced by Voltaire and determined to modernize his lands. During his rule, he transformed Prussia both economically and administratively, and practiced a policy of religious tolerance. He’s not without controversy – but then few kings are.
You’ll find far fewer Fredericks in English history. In French he’s Frédéric, and the Normans brought him along on their invasion, but he was used sparingly.
It took the arrival of the German-speaking House of Hanover in the 1700s to establish Frederick as a good English name. (If you’re forgetting your English Monarchs 101, here’s the Cliff Notes: religious conflict brought the Protestant William and Mary to the English throne. Because they never had children, Mary’s sister, Anne, inherited. When Anne outlived her children, an act of Parliament decreed that the throne would pass to the House of Hanover – German cousins.)
Famous non-royal bearers of the name include:
- The composer Frederic Chopin;
- Abolitionist Frederick Douglass;
- Queen’s legendary frontman Freddie Mercury – though he was born Farrokh;
- Pint-sized actor Freddie Highmore – though he was born Alfred;
- Fictional red-headed Fred Weasley from the Harry Potter series;
- Long running television character Frasier Crane chose the name for his son.
In the US, Frederick was firmly rooted in the Top 50 through 1893, and stayed in the Top 100 until 1957. Doubtless we’ve overlooked many a notable Fred.
But something interesting happened to this name in the 20th century. While other late 19th century staples like Charles and Samuel are back in a big way, Frederick has failed to experience a revival.
In fact, he’s fallen steadily since 1957 and stands at a nearly obscure #531 today.
In cycling, Fred is synonymous with nerd – or perhaps “poser” is a closer fit. We all know Fred Flinstone, though few of us would name a son in his honor. Vince Vaughn played Santa Claus’ troublesome younger brother in the movie Fred Claus. The name was so beat down at one point that Fred Daniel formed the FRED Society dedicated to, as they say in their credo “preserving and upholding the honorable name of Fred for all posterity.”
In this case, we must say that we’re on the side of the FRED Society. Frederick is a classic, and certainly fits with choices like Alexander and Theodore. Freddie is a darling nickname for a child, and Fred is perfectly reasonable for a grown man. Should Fred feel too brief, however, the full name is easily used instead.
We also can’t help note that popular choices like Derek and Eric are buried in this name – and could easily be used as nicknames, too. Alternately, if you’re looking to honor a Derek or an Eric, you might still use Frederick as an elaboration.
It’s our opinion that Frederick is long overdue for a comeback.
This was the first name the husband and I agreed on when we started picking out names. We fully intended to use it, but changed our minds somehwhere along the way. I adore Freddie/Fred, so that’s why I liked it so much, but now with Alfred I’ve still got those options. Frederick is a great name, and if you’re really adventurous you can use the nickname Fritz!
Funny, I like Fritz but not Fred or even Frederick. Maybe because I’ve known a few nasty Fredericks over time that have done nothing to endear me to their name. I, like Lyndsay prefer Alfred as a way to get to Freddie And I will admit to a soft spot for Wilfred, nn Freddie, If I could bring myself to use a nickname only, I’d happily go with Fritz, despite “on the fritz” thinking. I think it’s time for Fritz to make a comeback and if someone’s willing to go the Frederick route, it would be a really awesome choice for a nickname!
Frederick’s nice, in theory. I mean, as you pointed out, there are lots of famous ones, he’s got a nifty sound and a strong presence. I should really like him but can’t. I wouldn’t mind meeting a handful of them though, maybe one of them would be enough for me to get me past my unhappy associations!
YAY! Thanks so much! Frederick has been a favorite of mine for the longest time. I think it’s regal, strong and very handsome. Fred isn’t my favorite nickname, though; Like Lola I prefer Fritz, but I prefer Rick/Ricky over all. That’s my boyfriend’s dad’s name (he’s a Richard) and works awesomely in that way. I’d say Frederick needs to make a comeback, but I like it where it is; that way mine will be the only one he knows!
One of my best friends in high school was a Frederic, but went only by Fred. For this reason, I’m endeared to the name. However, I watched my friend Fred have to pull out his driver’s license one too many times to prove that was really his name. It seems almost comical to me, not something I’d use for that reason. I’d love it as a middle to honor my friend though!
I love Frederick. I adore him. He is one of my absolute most favorite names. I don’t find him at all stodgy or dusty, and it does amaze me that more parents going the “classic but slightly stodgy” route aren’t going for him.
I actually prefer Frederick without the NNs, though my grandma often calls my grandpa Fred, and this gives it a sweet vibe that I dig with such a strong name.
And you can’t forget fabulous Fred Astaire
I am kind of neutral on Frederick and its nicknames. But it certainly is a strong and classic name that is not too stodgy to use.
Frederick is one of my 19th-century literary crushes. Captain Frederick Wentworth was the love interest in Jane Austen’s “Persuasion,” and the sweetest of the three love stories in George Eliot’s “Middlemarch” featured dashingly handsome but financially irresponsible Frederick Vincy. I’ve adored the name Frederick ever since reading those books. My husband likes the name, too. The only thing that holds me back, though, is that I’m not sure whether I could stomach Fred and Freddy. I’m beginning to see the appeal of Freddy, but I’m not yet sold on Fred.
I definitely put it in the category of neglected classic. It’s one I may use someday, so I’m hoping it doesn’t catch on quite as much as Henry has.
Awesome choice! A solid and regal, English sounding name which I agree with Emmy Jo is very much a forgotten classic. That said, Freddie is certainly picking up speed in the UK in the wake of Harry, Alfie and Archie’s popularity and currently sits pretty at no. 63. Ironically though (again, I’m in agreement with Emmy Jo here) Fred and Freddie are the only real reasons that I’m not sold on Frederick. Something in my gut says that a Fred or Freddie just doesn’t seem like my kind of guy – maybe its a name association thing, I don’t know.
NB: I like Lola’s suggestion of Wilfred, although I would call a Wilfred Wilf rather than Freddie.
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