Given name
Dreda
In English use, Dreda is used as a shortened form of Etheldreda.
Meaning & origin
Where it comes from
In English use, Dreda is a short form of Etheldreda. An origin associated with Etheldreda is Old English.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English use, Dreda is used as a shortened form of Etheldreda.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1922. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Dreda is a short form of Etheldreda. The history of Etheldreda gives this family its wider story. Etheldreda was in use during the 19th century.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Dreda through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 16
- 0 boys · 16 girls
- Most popular year
- 1922
- 6 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 1955. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 6 in 1922.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Dreda, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Freda
“a peaceful ruler” · “peaceful friend”
>99% girls
Eda
Eda is a variant of Edith. One English interpretation is “the spoils of war; one who is joyous; a treasure.”
>99% girls
Elda
“a battlemaiden; a protector”
>99% girls
Tilda
“one who is mighty in battle”
>99% girls
Erma
“one who is complete; universal”
>99% girls
Frieda
“a peaceful ruler”
>99% girls
Hilda
“a battlemaiden”
>99% girls
Zera
“a sower of seeds”
>99% girls