Frances Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Frances originates from Latin, meaning 'free one', and evolved through various forms in Latin and French before becoming popular in English. It is associated with the legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is seen as elegant and strong, with notable bearers in literature and film.
The name Frances is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Frances has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Frances' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 594th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 685th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1241st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2191st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3506th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 10093rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11631st out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 11th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 22nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 85th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 215th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 339th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 671st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 460th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Frances' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Frances"
Pronunciation
/ˈfrænsɪs/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Frances is derived from the Latin name 'Franciscus', meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free one'. It was originally a masculine name but later became popular as a feminine name.
Meaning
free one
Language Evolution
Franciscus (Latin), Francescus (Old French), Frances (English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages, particularly due to Saint Francis of Assisi, who lived in the 13th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Francis, Franca, Francesca, Francie
Modern Popularity & Image
Frances is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with elegance and strength. It remains moderately popular today, often favored for its historical and literary connections.
Famous People
Frances McDormand, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Francesca Annis
Explore More Frances Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Frances"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Frances"
"Frances" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 594th of 7545 | 1,799 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 685th of 6773 | 1,499 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1241st of 7552 | 726 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2191st of 10718 | 298 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3506th of 16616 | 244 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 10093rd of 24088 | 84 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11631st of 23106 | 54 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 11th of 9107 | 248,765 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 22nd of 9204 | 167,782 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 85th of 12526 | 99,571 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 215th of 19264 | 21,919 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 339th of 27321 | 12,053 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 671st of 35406 | 6,593 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 460th of 30306 | 8,279 |
Regional Popularity of "Frances" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
41.74% 591st/1416 |
33.21% 458th/1379 |
37.24% 881st/2366 |
73.29% 837th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
45.15% 698th/1546 |
32.20% 501st/1556 |
36.76% 865th/2353 |
68.97% 1067th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
56.76% 1264th/2227 |
33.09% 804th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
49.61% 1728th/3483 |
- |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
67.73% 3031st/4475 |
64.02% 3325th/5194 |
46.57% 2942nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Frances" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
0.71% 10th/1416 |
0.65% 9th/1379 |
0.42% 10th/2366 |
0.70% 8th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
2.59% 40th/1546 |
1.48% 23rd/1556 |
0.68% 16th/2353 |
1.81% 28th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
5.79% 129th/2227 |
3.09% 75th/2430 |
1.93% 55th/2853 |
3.68% 102nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
10.66% 313th/2937 |
5.37% 187th/3483 |
4.86% 171st/3518 |
5.59% 226th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
12.05% 444th/3685 |
7.37% 330th/4475 |
5.47% 284th/5194 |
5.98% 378th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
14.80% 678th/4582 |
12.72% 657th/5164 |
8.86% 648th/7313 |
9.50% 709th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
9.56% 381st/3984 |
9.65% 433rd/4487 |
7.78% 531st/6822 |
7.15% 449th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Frances"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Frances" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.