Frederick

Frederick is a given name and surname of Germanic origin. It derives from the elements frid (peace) and ric (ruler), originally signifying a “peaceful ruler.” The form has many variants across languages, including Frederic, Frédéric, Federico, Friedrich, and Frederico, as well as nicknames such as Fritz.

As a personal name, Frederick has been borne by many rulers, scholars, and artists. Notable historical figures include Frederick I Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor (reigned 1155–1190), Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia (1740–1786), and Frederick III, German Emperor (1832–1888). In the United States and elsewhere, individuals include Frederick Douglass (1818–1895), an abolitionist and publisher, and Frederick Banting (1891–1941), a medical scientist who co-discovered insulin.

Geographically, Frederick is the name of places in several countries, most prominently Frederick, Maryland, a city founded in the 18th century. The name also appears in counties and towns and as a historical fort name in various locations.

In culture, Frederick appears in literature and media, including the children's book Frederick by Leo Lionni (1967), which tells of a mouse who stores sunbeams and words for winter. The name remains common in many parts of the world, with local forms used in German-speaking and Romance-language regions.