Fred

Fred is a short form of Frederick or Alfred, both of which trace back to Germanic roots. Frederick derives from the Old High German elements frid, meaning peace, and ric, meaning power or ruler, while Alfred combines the Old English elements ælf, meaning elf, and ræd, meaning counsel. The name has been widely used across English, Dutch, German, French, Portuguese, and Scandinavian cultures, carried by notable bearers including the Prussian king Frederick the Great and American entertainer Fred Astaire. Related forms include Fredrik, Friedrich, Frédéric, and Alfredo.