Akademik

Frederick m

1 English: from an old Germanic name, composed of the elements fred, frid peace + rīc power, ruler. It was first introduced into Britain by the Normans at the time of the Conquest, but did not survive long. However, it continued to be popular as a royal name elsewhere in Europe (see FRIEDRICH (SEE Friedrich)). Modern use in Britain dates from its reintroduction in the 18th century by followers of the Elector of Hanover, who in 1714 became George I of England, and was reinforced by the vogue for Germanic names in Victorian times.

2 Irish: used as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name FEARDORCHA (SEE Feardorcha).

Variants (of I): Fred(e)ric (becoming increasingly fashionable, no doubt under the influence of French Frédéric and perhaps also of English Dominic, where the spelling Dominick is perceived as distinctly archaic).