Boy · 9th of 7,545
Frank
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
920,009
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
17,089
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Frank 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
The name Frank has its roots in Latin, derived from 'Francus', meaning 'free man'. It evolved through various languages, including Old French and Middle English. The name reflects traits of honesty and straightforwardness, and it has biblical relevance. Historically, Frank gained prominence during the Middle Ages through the Frankish Empire, and it remains a popular name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/fræŋk/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Frank originates from the Latin word 'Francus', which referred to the Franks, a Germanic tribe that settled in what is now France and western Germany. The name means 'free man' or 'of the Franks'.
Meaning
free man
Language Evolution
Francus (Latin), Frank (Old French), Frank (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Frank gained popularity in the Middle Ages, especially in France and England, as a result of the influence of the Frankish Empire. It was often used to denote someone from the Frankish people.
Variants & Derivatives
Francisco, Frankie, Franklin
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Frank is seen as a classic and straightforward name. It carries connotations of honesty and openness.
Famous People
Frank Sinatra, Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Zappa
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 17,089 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Jersey
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 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 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 9th of 7545 | 266,880 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 16th of 6773 | 202,724 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 35th of 7552 | 213,447 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 60th of 10718 | 87,999 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 110th of 16616 | 48,070 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 237th of 24088 | 23,350 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 396th of 23106 | 9,766 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 815th of 9107 | 1,446 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 945th of 9204 | 1,081 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1686th of 12526 | 739 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2225th of 19264 | 595 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4437th of 27321 | 328 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 28012th of 35406 | 14 |