Fred
/frɛd/noun
A masculine given name, originally a short form of names containing the Germanic element meaning “peace.”
Did you know?Fred is usually a short form of names like Frederick, where the old Germanic element *frid* meant “peace” or “protection,” not just calmness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*friþuz
“peace; protection; security”
Old English
OE
friþ
“peace, truce, safety”
Old High German
OHG
fridu
“peace, reconciliation”
Old Norse
ON
friðr
“peace, friendship”
Middle English / Early Modern English
English
Frede / Fred
“short form of names containing the peace element”
Modern English
English
Fred
“a masculine given name”