What origin is the name Fred?

Fred comes from german naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is Fred a popular name?

Fred is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

Yes. Fred does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

What are good brother names for Fred?

Names from the same german tradition pair naturally with Fred — for example William, Henry, Paul. You can browse more on our german names page.

Fred

Discover the meaning and origin of the name Fred

Fred

Unisex

german

1 syllable

Fred is a german unisex name meaning "Peaceful ruler; diminutive of alfred: sage, wise. from the old english aelfraed, meaning elf counsel. also from ealdfrith or alfrid, meaning old peace. handsome".

The meaning of Fred is "Peaceful ruler; diminutive of alfred: sage, wise. from the old english aelfraed, meaning elf counsel. also from ealdfrith or alfrid, meaning old peace. handsome" — a unisex name of german origin. At just 4 letters, it is short and easy to say. It has 1 syllable.

Origin: german
Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 1

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

Peaceful ruler; diminutive of alfred: sage, wise. from the old english aelfraed, meaning elf counsel. also from ealdfrith or alfrid, meaning old peace. handsome

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Quick answers about Fred

Very rare in US records

What does Fred mean?

Fred is a unisex name of german origin meaning "Peaceful ruler; diminutive of alfred: sage, wise. from the old english aelfraed, meaning elf counsel. also from ealdfrith or alfrid, meaning old peace. handsome".

Is Fred a rare name?

Yes. Fred does not appear in official US birth records for 2017, meaning fewer than 5 babies got the name that year.

Brother names that go with Fred

William Henry Paul Raymond Lukas Leon

Combine Fred with another name

Our free name combiner blends two names into new baby name ideas.

Names with a similar meaning to Fred

Fred means "Peaceful ruler; diminutive of alfred: sage, wise. from the old english aelfraed, meaning elf counsel. also from ealdfrith or alfrid, meaning old peace. handsome" — these names share that spirit.