Girl · 207th of 9,107
Freda
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
42,533
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
1,025
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Freda stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Freda has its origins in Old English, meaning 'peaceful' or 'beloved'. It evolved from early forms in the English language and has variants in other cultures. The name is associated with positive traits such as warmth and friendliness, and while it is not widely used today, it carries a vintage charm. There is no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈfrɛdə/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Freda is derived from the Old English word 'frēo', meaning 'free' or 'beloved'. It is often considered a diminutive of names containing the element 'fred', which relates to peace or safety.
Meaning
peaceful, beloved
Language Evolution
Freda (Old English), Frieda (German), Freida (Yiddish)
Historical Usage
Freda gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a feminine form of the name Frederick, often associated with qualities of peace and freedom.
Variants & Derivatives
Frieda, Freida, Freda
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Freda is seen as a vintage name, often associated with warmth and friendliness, but it is less common among younger generations.
Famous People
Freda Payne (American singer), Freda Adler (American sociologist)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,025 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 46 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6687th of 7545 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5479th of 6773 | 16 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 207th of 9107 | 17,252 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 270th of 9204 | 10,201 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 434th of 12526 | 8,459 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 904th of 19264 | 2,330 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2879th of 27321 | 601 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 6970th of 35406 | 266 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 8012th of 30306 | 164 |