Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Frances
GirlLatin, English· “Frenchman, Frankish”
- Meaning
- Frenchman, Frankish
- Origin
- Latin, English
- Pronunciation
- FRAN-sihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #318
- US babies 2025
- 960
- Best rank
- #8 (1918)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Frances
Frances is a Latin and English name that means “Frenchman, Frankish”.
Frances is the feminine form of Francis, from the Latin Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman" or "Frankish", and the Franks were a Germanic people whose name later became linked with the idea of being free. Devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi spread the name across Europe, and women saints such as Frances of Rome and Frances Xavier Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants, bore the feminine form. Frances was common in the English-speaking world in the early twentieth century and has a gentle vintage charm today. Frankie, Fran and Fanny are nicknames. Francesca and Françoise are related forms.
Popularity over time
Frances has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #8 in 1918, the same year it reached its highest count of 16,132 babies. In 2025, 960 babies were named Frances, and it ranked #318 nationally. That is 56% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #9 in 1920, #51 in 1950, #267 in 1980, #572 in 2000, #769 in 2010, and #318 in 2025. Of the 595,697 US girls named Frances since records began, 24% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 105,599 babies. Since 2010, 10,316 more have been named Frances.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Anna, Florence, Rose, Edna, and Josephine.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Frances ranked highest in District of Columbia, Vermont, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #70 | 10 |
| Vermont | #79 | 5 |
| Maine | #92 | 11 |
| Alabama | #137 | 33 |
| Minnesota | #195 | 28 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Frances over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Frances is usually pronounced FRAN-sihs, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with F and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for Frances
A few middle names that flow with Frances: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Frances
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Lists that include Frances
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Frances mean?
Frances is a Latin and English name that means “Frenchman, Frankish”.
What is the origin of the name Frances?
Frances has Latin and English roots. Frances is the feminine form of Francis, from the Latin Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman" or "Frankish", and the Franks were a Germanic people whose name later became linked with the idea of being free.
Is Frances a popular name?
Yes. Frances ranked #318 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Frances a boy or girl name?
Frances is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Frances over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Frances?
Frances is usually pronounced FRAN-sihs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings