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Frances Girl

Popularity: #341 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationFRAN-sis / /ˈfræn.sɪs/

Latin; English

Meaning

Latin: free one; English: from France

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Frances has its roots in the Latin name "Franciscus," which means "Frenchman" or "free man." This name was derived from the Latin word "francus," meaning "free." The name gained prominence in the early medieval period, particularly through the influence of Saint Francis of Assisi, who lived in the 13th century and founded the Franciscan order. His life and teachings significantly impacted Christian thought and practice, leading to the name's adoption across various cultures and languages.

As the name transitioned into different languages, it evolved into various forms. In Old French, it appeared as "Frances," which was used for both males and females. By the late Middle Ages, the name began to be associated more with women, particularly in England, where it was adopted following the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The name Frances became more widely recognized in English-speaking countries through its association with notable figures, including Frances Burney, an influential 18th-century novelist and playwright.

Culturally, the name Frances has been linked to themes of freedom and nobility, resonating with the ideals of the medieval chivalric code and later humanist movements. The name has also been celebrated in literature and art, further embedding it in cultural consciousness. A diminutive form, "Fanny," emerged in the 18th century, which also gained popularity as a standalone name. Overall, Frances has maintained a significant presence in various cultures, reflecting its rich historical and linguistic heritage.

Trend Summary

Frances has experienced a resurgence in popularity in the United States, particularly in the 21st century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Francis
  • Franca
  • Franny

International Variants

  • Francesca (Italian)
  • Franziska (German)
  • Francine (French)

Famous people named Frances

Frances McDormand is an actress best known for Fargo, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Nomadland.

Frances Bean Cobain is a visual artist and model best known for being the daughter of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.

Frances Wright is a writer and social reformer best known for her advocacy of women's rights and abolitionism.

Fictional characters named Frances

Frances is a fictional character from the book and film Frances. She is a talented actress who struggles with personal and professional challenges in her life.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Frances was first seen in the United States in 1880. Frances has ranked as high as #17 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Frances has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Frances (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 87
11%
NY 60
8%
TX 50
7%
AL 39
5%
IL 39
5%
NC 33
4%
GA 28
4%
OH 27
4%
WA 26
3%
MN 25
3%
CO 23
3%
TN 22
3%
MA 22
3%
VA 22
3%
PA 20
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880605
1881586
1882681
1883710
1884789
1885844
18861,059
18871,105
18881,452
18891,351
18901,416
18911,397
18921,670
18931,622
18941,776
18951,833
18961,964
18971,975
18982,379
18992,058
19002,495
19012,071
19022,326
19032,365
19042,657
19052,887
19063,026
19073,299
19083,593
19093,780
19104,448
19114,967
19126,680
19137,694
19149,677
191512,786
191613,746
191714,363
191816,131
191915,107
192015,883
192115,993
192215,054
192314,881
192415,183
192513,825
192613,355
192712,988
192812,137
192911,092
193010,644
19319,718
19329,552
19338,882
19349,207
19358,770
19368,789
19379,057
19388,922
19398,577
19408,621
19418,468
19429,471
19439,448
19448,487
19457,940
19468,450
19478,943
19488,179
19497,440
19506,974
19516,584
19526,079
19535,786
19545,153
19554,641
19564,325
19574,094
19583,847
19593,717
19603,592
19613,420
19623,003
19632,745
19642,599
19652,262
19662,126
19671,868
19681,745
19691,640
19701,628
19711,453
19721,280
19731,156
19741,068
19751,030
1976948
1977940
1978924
1979913
1980938
1981925
1982904
1983875
1984855
1985834
1986765
1987805
1988807
1989781
1990759
1991711
1992668
1993641
1994608
1995571
1996544
1997531
1998547
1999488
2000454
2001429
2002415
2003449
2004427
2005355
2006360
2007347
2008368
2009355
2010356
2011348
2012364
2013409
2014484
2015613
2016721
2017730
2018723
2019718
2020744
2021801
2022755
2023760
2024821