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Name Lineage

    The first name Fred

    A boy’s name.

    Pronounced /fɹɛd/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    A short version of Frederick, Alfred, or Wilfred, also used as a formal male given name.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 65 boys were named Fred, making it the 593rd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2008, with 74 births (#477).

    04080 1996200020052010201520202025
    1,647
    babies named Fred, 1996–2025
    #593
    rank in 2025
    2008
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Fred with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Fred at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 80 boys born in the United States were named Fred, the 1,936th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1924, when 6,532 were.

    03,5007,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    345,684
    babies named Fred since 1880
    #1,936
    rank in 2025
    1924
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Fred

    238 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Fred Rogers
      American television personality (1928–2003)
    • Fred Hoyle
      British astronomer (1915–2001)
    • Fred Zinnemann
      Austrian film director (1907-1997)
    • Fred Ramsdell
      American immunologist, born 1960
    • Fred Thompson
      American politician and actor (1942–2015)
    • Fred Durst
      American singer, rapper, actor and director (born 1970)
    • Fred Willard
      American actor and comedian (1933-2020)
    • Fred MacMurray
      American actor (1908–1991)
    • Fred Ward
      American actor (1942–2022)
    • Fred Perry
      English tennis player, 1909–1995
    • Fred Allen
      American comedian (1894–1956)
    • Fred Tatasciore
      American voice actor, born 1968

    Questions

    How popular is the name Fred?
    In 2025, 65 boys born in England and Wales were named Fred, ranking 593rd. Its peak was 2008, with 74 births.
    Is Fred a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 345,684 US babies named Fred since 1880 were boys.
    When was Fred most popular?
    1924 in the United States, when 6,532 babies were named Fred, its highest rank at 32nd.
    How do you pronounce Fred?
    Fred is /fɹɛd/, one syllable.
    Is Fred also a surname?
    Yes. Fred is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.