Frederica

In eighteenth-century Prussia, King Frederick's supporters named their daughters after him. They replaced the "k" at the end of Frederick with an "a" to create Frederica. 

Frederick means "peaceful ruler." As the feminine form, Frederica would have the same meaning. It has been worn by several princesses in the past. These include Princess Frederica Amalia of Denmark (1649-1704), Princess Frederica Caroline of Saxenburg (1735-1791), and Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia (1767-1820). 

Frederica only ranked a few times before 1911. It actually disappeared in the United States a few years ago. That's the only barrier to Frederica's classic status, Frederica has always been rare, though, so the name can't feel dated. If it's usable as ever today, its continual decline must be shocking. Maybe it could be that it has too many consonants? Consonant-heavy names like Agnes and Maude have been unfashionable in past decades. Yet, Gwendolyn, another consonant-heavy name, has risen in use lately. 

Alongside its royal associations, Frederica has modern bearers including opera singer Frederica Von Stade and congresswoman Frederica Wilson. The Italian form Federica has even more modern bearers, including Italian model Federica Nargi. Besides, Frederica remains in use in Portugal. This all makes Frederica a fine candidate for a classic name. Parents seeking something timeless and old-fashioned yet rare and surprising will like Frederica. 

STYLES:

Classic, Formal

SISTERS:

Antoinette, Beatrice, Faustina, Philippa, Rosalind, Theodora

BROTHERS:

Benedict, Horatio, Leonard, Maximilian, Quentin, Reginald

ALTERNATIVES:

Domenica, Edwina, Fernanda, Louisa, Magdalene, Petronilla

What do you think about Frederica?