Freda ("FREE-duh") is a family name for me. There was a time when I thought seriously about using it and I toyed with the idea of using a more formal name like
Frederica,
Fredrika or even Freedom. But I could never make up my mind.
I prefer a three syllable pronunciation, "fre-DREE-kuh," but the only legitimate spelling that I could find was
Fredrika. That looks too harsh to my eyes. The spelling that my eyes prefer is the softer
Frederica one. But that would yield four syllables, no? "fred-er-EE-cuh?" Which way to you say it? I like both pronunciations, I just prefer three syllables.
If you could get your boyfriend to say, "Yes" to
Frederica, then I would have him sign on the dotted line then and there. :-)
Rica is an adorable nn.