Girl · 11th of 9,107
Frances
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
599,746
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
16,228
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Frances stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 16,228 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |