name
Common
Frederick
FREHD-rihk
Frederick (name) means a male first name of Germanic origin meaning roughly "peaceful ruler.". Example: “Frederick the Great ruled Prussia for over four decades.”
name
1
A male first name of Germanic origin meaning roughly "peaceful ruler."
"Frederick the Great ruled Prussia for over four decades."
2
A surname derived from the same given name.
How to use Frederick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA classic male name meaning something like "peaceful ruler," also common as a surname and place name.
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_____ the Great ruled Prussia for over four decades.
Etymology
From German Friedrich, ultimately from Old High German Fridurih, combining words meaning "peace" and "ruler" — so literally "peaceful ruler."
Related words
Rhymes for Frederick
See all rhymes for Frederick →Frequently asked questions
What does “Frederick” mean?
The word “Frederick” means a male first name of Germanic origin meaning roughly "peaceful ruler.". In plain terms, a classic male name meaning something like "peaceful ruler," also common as a surname and place name.
How do you pronounce “Frederick”?
“Frederick” is pronounced FREHD-rihk (/ˈfɹɛd(ə)ɹɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “Frederick” in a sentence?
Here is “Frederick” used in a sentence: “Frederick the Great ruled Prussia for over four decades.”
What part of speech is “Frederick”?
“Frederick” is a name.
Where does the word “Frederick” come from?
The word “Frederick” comes from German. From German Friedrich, ultimately from Old High German Fridurih, combining words meaning "peace" and "ruler" — so literally "peaceful ruler.".
Is “Frederick” a common word?
“Frederick” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Frederick” have?
“Frederick” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male first name of Germanic origin meaning roughly "peaceful ruler.".
What are common nicknames for Frederick?
Common nicknames for Frederick include Fred, Freddie, and Freddy, and sometimes Rick or Ricky. Fritz is a traditional short form of the related German name Friedrich.
What is the female version of Frederick?
The female form of Frederick is Frederica, also spelled Fredericka or Frederika. Like Frederick, it comes from the Germanic roots meaning roughly "peaceful ruler."
What is the difference between Frederick and Frederic?
Frederick and Frederic are variant spellings of the same name; Frederick is the more common English form, while Frederic (and the French Frederic) drops the second "k." Both share the same Germanic origin and meaning.
What is the origin of the name Frederick?
Frederick is of Germanic origin, formed from roots meaning "peace" and "ruler," giving the rough sense of "peaceful ruler." It is used both as a male first name and as a surname derived from that given name.
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