Franklin Name Meaning

The meaning of the name Franklin is “free landowner,” reflecting its origins as a surname. The name Franklin suggests independence, freedom, and a strong sense of self, making it a great choice for parents who are looking for a name that reflects their son’s character.

History of the Name Franklin

The name Franklin is of English origin, and it has a long and illustrious history dating back to the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages, Franklin was a surname that was used to refer to a landowner who was free and not beholden to a lord. Over time, the name Franklin evolved into the modern spelling of Franklin, and it’s now used as a given name in many different countries around the world.

Origins of the Name Franklin

The name Franklin is of English origin, and it’s derived from the Old French word “franklin,” which means “free landowner.” The name Franklin is a great choice for parents who are looking for a name that’s classic and timeless, and it has a rich history that adds to its charm.

Popularity of the Name Franklin

The name Franklin has been a popular choice for boys for many years, and it continues to be a top choice for parents today. According to the Social Security Administration, the name Franklin was the 762nd most popular name for boys born in the United States in 2020. The popularity of the name Franklin is likely due to its classic and timeless sound, as well as its association with independence, freedom, and a strong sense of self.

Famous Franklins

One of the most famous Franklins in history is Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States and a man who helped shape the country in its early years. Other famous Franklins include Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, and Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. The name Franklin has also been popular in recent years as a middle name, with famous Franklins including Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, and Franklin Leonard, the founder of the Black List, a collection of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood.

Final Thoughts on the Name Franklin

Franklin is a name that’s classic, timeless, and fit for a president! With its roots in English, it’s a name that’s got a long and illustrious history, and a name that’s sure to make a lasting impression. Whether you’re looking for a name that’s traditional and classic, or a name that reflects your son’s independence, freedom, and strong sense of self, Franklin is a great choice. So if you’re looking for a name for your little guy that’s got a lot of history and a lot of style, consider the name Franklin!

Infographic of Franklin name meaning, which is “A landowner of free birth,” from the Latin Francus, a Frank or free man.
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Franklin Name Popularity

How popular is the name Franklin? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 184 113 0.0321%
1911 157 173 0.0465%
1912 132 456 0.0904%
1913 133 562 0.0991%
1914 134 740 0.1062%
1915 133 967 0.1064%
1916 130 1,053 0.109%
1917 125 1,164 0.1163%
1918 127 1,257 0.1171%
1919 127 1,186 0.1133%
1920 118 1,435 0.1291%
1921 126 1,340 0.117%
1922 126 1,311 0.1177%
1923 132 1,243 0.111%
1924 134 1,263 0.1088%
1925 134 1,269 0.1123%
1926 142 1,188 0.108%
1927 144 1,165 0.1052%
1928 146 1,076 0.1006%
1929 149 1,022 0.0987%
1930 149 1,062 0.1017%
1931 147 1,057 0.1071%
1932 66 2,752 0.2786%
1933 33 5,357 0.575%
1934 46 4,148 0.4291%
1935 71 2,596 0.2671%
1936 64 2,935 0.3047%
1937 77 2,506 0.2543%
1938 100 1,995 0.1949%
1939 108 1,830 0.1799%
1940 87 2,376 0.2235%
1941 98 2,189 0.1945%
1942 103 2,347 0.1859%
1943 119 1,959 0.1501%
1944 122 1,799 0.1452%
1945 119 1,874 0.1537%
1946 141 1,696 0.1149%
1947 152 1,756 0.1052%
1948 158 1,537 0.0963%
1949 154 1,598 0.0993%
1950 153 1,615 0.1003%
1951 152 1,687 0.0995%
1952 159 1,694 0.097%
1953 158 1,751 0.0989%
1954 157 1,809 0.099%
1955 162 1,747 0.095%
1956 167 1,766 0.0935%
1957 178 1,678 0.0872%
1958 182 1,562 0.0826%
1959 190 1,536 0.0808%
1960 195 1,508 0.0796%
1961 195 1,507 0.0798%
1962 200 1,503 0.0819%
1963 195 1,509 0.0841%
1964 187 1,482 0.0842%
1965 186 1,347 0.0824%
1966 188 1,282 0.0821%
1967 195 1,170 0.0771%
1968 199 1,151 0.0767%
1969 202 1,206 0.0783%
1970 207 1,193 0.075%
1971 209 1,109 0.0738%
1972 231 899 0.066%
1973 226 913 0.0704%
1974 229 876 0.0674%
1975 239 832 0.0647%
1976 247 769 0.0597%
1977 239 846 0.0628%
1978 245 811 0.0603%
1979 248 835 0.0592%
1980 252 855 0.0585%
1981 268 772 0.0525%
1982 256 826 0.0553%
1983 279 698 0.0473%
1984 265 760 0.0511%
1985 264 786 0.0518%
1986 272 753 0.0499%
1987 271 777 0.0509%
1988 276 808 0.0518%
1989 277 863 0.0535%
1990 300 817 0.0493%
1991 299 826 0.0507%
1992 310 819 0.0513%
1993 344 677 0.0434%
1994 351 665 0.0433%
1995 365 620 0.0411%
1996 350 664 0.0443%
1997 401 549 0.0371%
1998 389 600 0.0401%
1999 412 535 0.0357%
2000 445 500 0.0327%
2001 460 482 0.032%
2002 465 476 0.0318%
2003 464 502 0.033%
2004 494 464 0.0304%
2005 456 527 0.0345%
2006 441 581 0.0371%
2007 470 540 0.0342%
2008 477 546 0.0353%
2009 519 477 0.0319%
2010 503 471 0.0327%
2011 498 478 0.0336%
2012 530 449 0.0315%
2013 494 509 0.0358%
2014 444 625 0.0429%
2015 434 661 0.0454%
2016 413 715 0.0496%
2017 433 669 0.0479%
2018 436 646 0.047%
2019 413 696 0.0514%
2020 441 622 0.0489%
2021 394 770 0.063%
2022 407 755 0.0572%

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Data via SSA.gov.


Names Like Franklin

If you like Franklin, you’ll love these other names like Franklin.


What names are variants of Franklin?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Franklin.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Francklin

Free landholder

English

Francklyn

Free landholder

English

Frank

Frenchman

English

Franklinn

Free landholder

English

Franklyn

Free landholder

English

Franklynn

Free landholder

English


What names sound like Franklin?

If you like how Franklin sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Franklin.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Francois

Frenchman; free man

Latin

Frankie

Frenchman; free man

Latin

Franko

Frenchman; free man

Latin

Franky

Short form of Francis

French


Lists With Franklin

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Franklin.


Siblings of Franklin

Mamas with kids named Franklin also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Albion

White; rock, crag

Latin

Helena

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Otto

Wealth

German

Theodore

God's gift

Greek

George

Farmer

Greek

6 Comments

  1. I wanted my husband to choose his name. It came to him the night after we found out he was a boy. He never thought of a name he liked better! Franklin it was!

  2. He is named after my grandmother and great grandfather. It reminds me of my grandmother daily. She would have loved him! Everyone already does!

  3. We named our newborn Franklin.

  4. This is the town where my husband was born. The name also resembles my father and brother’s name. I always loved the sound of it. It’s also not a very popular name so that’s why we went for it!

  5. We named our son Franklin after his great grandfather. It’s more an old fashioned name, but we really like it…there’s not a lot of other young Franklin’s out there. Pro’s are you can shorten it to Frank or Frankie (we use both).

  6. We called our “green” bump “Frank” throughout the pregnancy so it only seemed natural to name him something that could use this as a nickname. Franklins Tower is also one of our favorite songs by The Grateful Dead making it all the more perfect.


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