Provided are techniques for estimating most frequent values. A sample of values made up of rows is received from each of multiple nodes. The sample of values from each of the multiple nodes are aggregated to generate a sample table storing the rows. A descending list of most frequent values and associated frequencies is obtained using the sample table. Most frequent values are pruned from the descending list whose associated frequencies are below a minimum absolute frequency. The remaining most frequent values are extrapolated to reflect a data set.