Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

English : from Old French and Middle English frere ‘friar’ (Latin frater, literally ‘brother’). This was a status name for a member a religious order, especially a mendicant order, and may also have been a nickname for a pious person or for someone employed at a monastery.
Americanized spelling of French Frère (see Frere).
North German and Dutch : cognate of Friedrich.

Hey, parents and baby name enthusiasts! 🎉👶 Help us crown the best baby name each month! Vote and see which name comes out on top. Over the next few weeks, you get to click and vote for your favorite names in a fun challenge, based on gender and theme! 🏆 Competition starts the second week of August, so watch this space!