Frieda is a feminine given name used in English and German, serving as a variant of Frida 1. It originated as a short form of various Germanic names that contain the element fridu, meaning "peace" (from Proto-Germanic *friþuz). This element is common in names like Friedrich (the masculine form) and Elfriede, where Frieda functions as a feminine hypocorism. Etymology and History The name Frieda derives from the Old High German fridu (peace), a root shared with many Germanic names dedicated to peace or treaties. In its early usage, Frieda was adopted as a standalone given name in German-speaking regions, later spreading to English-speaking countries through cultural exchange. The German form also appears as Frida, which has become more widely recognized internationally. Historically, Frieda saw particular popularity at the turn of the 20th century in Germany, though its usage has declined since then. Cultural Significance The name gained some literary presence through characters in works by English authors, but it is most famously associated with the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907–1954), whose given name was a variant of Frieda. While Frida herself bore the shorter form, her fame has contributed to cultural awareness of the Frieda name in modern times. In English-speaking countries, Frieda was especially common among families of German descent. Notable Bearers Although Wikipedia does list it, Frieda is one of those names that are more old-fashioned in current use. Notable bearers include Frieda Harris (1877–1962), English translator and illustrator of the Tarot; and Frieda Hempel (1885–1955), German soprano. In the arts, Frieda Hughes (born 1960), daughter of Sylvia Plath, is a poet and painter. Variants and Usage Frieda belongs to a family of names with "peace" as a core meaning. Variants across German include Elfi, Frida, Friede, and Fritzi. Diminutives like Friedel also exist. In Czech, the name Bedřiška corresponds, while Scandinavian forms include Frederikke and Rikke. English Freda and Freida are anglicized spellings. Meaning: peace (from Germanic fridu) Origin: Germanic, specifically Old High German Gender: Feminine Usage: English, German Related Names: Frida, Friedrich, Freda, Elfriede