Franklin Boy

Popularity: #338 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FRANK-lin //ˈfræŋklɪn//

Origin: English; French

Meaning: English: Free man; French: From the land of the Franks

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Franklin has its roots in the Old French word "franc," meaning "free" or "free man." This term was derived from the Latin "francus," which also conveys the notion of freedom. The name entered the English language during the Middle Ages, particularly in the 12th century, as a surname for a class of freeholders who were not of noble birth but owned land and had certain rights.

The surname Franklin eventually evolved into a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries. Historically, the name Franklin gained prominence through notable figures, one of the most significant being Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), a Founding Father of the United States, who was also a renowned polymath, inventor, and diplomat.

His contributions to American society, including his role in the American Revolution and his influence on the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, have cemented the name's association with intellect and civic responsibility.

The name also appears in various historical texts and documents, reflecting its usage among prominent families and individuals throughout the centuries. Culturally, the name Franklin has been associated with values such as independence and self-sufficiency, resonating with the ideals of the Enlightenment and the American spirit of the 18th century.

The name has also been linked to various literary and artistic works, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness. Additionally, diminutive forms like Frank have emerged, showcasing the name's adaptability and enduring appeal across generations.

Overall, Franklin carries a legacy that reflects both historical significance and cultural values.

Famous people named Franklin

In this section, you will find notable people named Franklin. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Franklin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Franklin who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Franklin D. Roosevelt is a U.S. President best known for leading the country during the Great Depression and World War II.

Franklin Pierce is a U.S. President best known for his controversial administration and the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Franklin Graham is an evangelist and missionary best known for his work with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse.

Franklin Mint is a company best known for producing collectible coins and memorabilia.

Franklin Chang-Diaz is an astronaut and physicist best known for his work with NASA and the development of the VASIMR rocket technology.

Fictional characters named Franklin

The following list of fictional characters named Franklin is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Franklin is a fictional character from the animated television series Franklin. He is a young turtle who learns valuable life lessons while navigating childhood adventures.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Franklin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

GeorgeHenryEdwardCharlesWilliamJames

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Franklin. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

FrederickFrankieFelixFletcherFinnFergusFitzFloyd

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Franklin was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Franklin has ranked as high as #69 nationally, which occurred in 1933, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, North Carolina, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Franklin has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Franklin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Franklin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Franklin.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 909 909 0
2024 854 841 13
2023 790 784 6
2022 798 788 10
2021 807 801 6
2020 726 718 8
2019 750 739 11
2018 701 693 8
2017 717 710 7
2016 745 745 0
2015 690 690 0
2014 669 664 5
2013 551 551 0
2012 495 495 0
2011 525 520 5
2010 510 510 0
2009 511 511 0
2008 589 589 0
2007 580 580 0
2006 622 622 0
2005 567 567 0
2004 513 508 5
2003 539 539 0
2002 507 507 0
2001 534 534 0
2000 530 530 0
1999 573 573 0
1998 636 636 0
1997 590 590 0
1996 694 694 0
1995 662 662 0
1994 707 702 5
1993 709 703 6
1992 854 849 5
1991 860 860 0
1990 861 852 9
1989 905 898 7
1988 840 831 9
1987 817 808 9
1986 795 786 9
1985 820 812 8
1984 806 797 9
1983 742 742 0
1982 866 857 9
1981 814 814 0
1980 890 879 11
1979 862 857 5
1978 848 837 11
1977 872 860 12
1976 812 804 8
1975 869 864 5
1974 918 913 5
1973 954 944 10
1972 937 928 9
1971 1,126 1,126 0
1970 1,226 1,219 7
1969 1,231 1,224 7
1968 1,195 1,182 13
1967 1,209 1,200 9
1966 1,315 1,304 11
1965 1,379 1,368 11
1964 1,510 1,498 12
1963 1,534 1,522 12
1962 1,536 1,530 6
1961 1,533 1,527 6
1960 1,548 1,537 11
1959 1,561 1,553 8
1958 1,596 1,587 9
1957 1,701 1,688 13
1956 1,806 1,793 13
1955 1,770 1,764 6
1954 1,830 1,822 8
1953 1,764 1,759 5
1952 1,729 1,722 7
1951 1,702 1,695 7
1950 1,632 1,624 8
1949 1,627 1,621 6
1948 1,556 1,551 5
1947 1,782 1,772 10
1946 1,733 1,721 12
1945 1,907 1,896 11
1944 1,822 1,817 5
1943 1,983 1,973 10
1942 2,375 2,365 10
1941 2,217 2,205 12
1940 2,402 2,391 11
1939 1,867 1,856 11
1938 2,036 2,021 15
1937 2,531 2,514 17
1936 2,958 2,939 19
1935 2,628 2,611 17
1934 4,173 4,156 17
1933 5,387 5,363 24
1932 2,763 2,754 9
1931 1,089 1,089 0
1930 1,087 1,078 9
1929 1,072 1,061 11
1928 1,115 1,103 12
1927 1,196 1,183 13
1926 1,209 1,202 7
1925 1,301 1,294 7
1924 1,289 1,284 5
1923 1,270 1,264 6
1922 1,327 1,317 10
1921 1,359 1,350 9
1920 1,458 1,451 7
1919 1,216 1,206 10
1918 1,280 1,275 5
1917 1,201 1,194 7
1916 1,073 1,073 0
1915 1,001 1,001 0
1914 775 770 5
1913 593 593 0
1912 497 497 0
1911 220 220 0
1910 176 176 0
1909 168 168 0
1908 133 133 0
1907 122 122 0
1906 125 125 0
1905 98 98 0
1904 108 108 0
1903 116 116 0
1902 97 97 0
1901 92 92 0
1900 137 137 0
1899 116 116 0
1898 112 112 0
1897 68 68 0
1896 96 96 0
1895 103 103 0
1894 84 84 0
1893 99 99 0
1892 109 109 0
1891 109 109 0
1890 90 90 0
1889 100 100 0
1888 129 129 0
1887 89 89 0
1886 127 127 0
1885 117 117 0
1884 93 93 0
1883 94 94 0
1882 112 112 0
1881 117 117 0
1880 120 120 0

Top States for Franklin (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 62
8%
TX 52
6%
OH 44
5%
IL 43
5%
MI 39
5%
NY 39
5%
MN 36
4%
FL 30
4%
WI 29
4%
PA 29
4%
NC 28
3%
GA 27
3%
MO 26
3%
WA 25
3%
IN 25
3%
VA 21
3%
CO 21
3%
TN 20
2%
NJ 19
2%
UT 17
2%
AZ 15
2%
KY 15
2%
MD 15
2%
IA 13
2%
KS 12
1%
SC 12
1%
MA 11
1%
NE 10
1%
AL 10
1%
OK 8
1%
OR 8
1%
AR 7
1%
MS 7
1%
LA 7
1%
MT 7
1%
ND 6
1%
WV 5
1%
ME 5
1%
NM 5
1%