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.
Ask your friends & family about Franklin…

Franklin Name Popularity

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

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 113 0.0321%
1911 — 173 0.0465%
1912 — 456 0.0904%
1913 — 562 0.0991%
1914 — 740 0.1062%
1915 — 967 0.1064%
1916 — 1,053 0.109%
1917 — 1,164 0.1163%
1918 — 1,257 0.1171%
1919 — 1,186 0.1133%
1920 — 1,435 0.1291%
1921 — 1,340 0.117%
1922 — 1,311 0.1177%
1923 — 1,243 0.111%
1924 — 1,263 0.1088%
1925 — 1,269 0.1123%
1926 — 1,188 0.108%
1927 — 1,165 0.1052%
1928 — 1,076 0.1006%
1929 — 1,022 0.0987%
1930 — 1,062 0.1017%
1931 — 1,057 0.1071%
1932 — 2,752 0.2786%
1933 — 5,357 0.575%
1934 — 4,148 0.4291%
1935 — 2,596 0.2671%
1936 — 2,935 0.3047%
1937 — 2,506 0.2543%
1938 — 1,995 0.1949%
1939 — 1,830 0.1799%
1940 — 2,376 0.2235%
1941 — 2,189 0.1945%
1942 — 2,347 0.1859%
1943 — 1,959 0.1501%
1944 — 1,799 0.1452%
1945 — 1,874 0.1537%
1946 — 1,696 0.1149%
1947 — 1,756 0.1052%
1948 — 1,537 0.0963%
1949 — 1,598 0.0993%
1950 — 1,615 0.1003%
1951 — 1,687 0.0995%
1952 — 1,694 0.097%
1953 — 1,751 0.0989%
1954 — 1,809 0.099%
1955 — 1,747 0.095%
1956 — 1,766 0.0935%
1957 — 1,678 0.0872%
1958 — 1,562 0.0826%
1959 — 1,536 0.0808%
1960 — 1,508 0.0796%
1961 — 1,507 0.0798%
1962 — 1,503 0.0819%
1963 — 1,509 0.0841%
1964 — 1,482 0.0842%
1965 — 1,347 0.0824%
1966 — 1,282 0.0821%
1967 — 1,170 0.0771%
1968 — 1,151 0.0767%
1969 — 1,206 0.0783%
1970 — 1,193 0.075%
1971 — 1,109 0.0738%
1972 — 899 0.066%
1973 — 913 0.0704%
1974 — 876 0.0674%
1975 — 832 0.0647%
1976 — 769 0.0597%
1977 — 846 0.0628%
1978 — 811 0.0603%
1979 — 835 0.0592%
1980 — 855 0.0585%
1981 — 772 0.0525%
1982 — 826 0.0553%
1983 — 698 0.0473%
1984 — 760 0.0511%
1985 — 786 0.0518%
1986 — 753 0.0499%
1987 — 777 0.0509%
1988 — 808 0.0518%
1989 — 863 0.0535%
1990 — 817 0.0493%
1991 — 826 0.0507%
1992 — 819 0.0513%
1993 — 677 0.0434%
1994 — 665 0.0433%
1995 — 620 0.0411%
1996 — 664 0.0443%
1997 — 549 0.0371%
1998 — 600 0.0401%
1999 — 535 0.0357%
2000 — 500 0.0327%
2001 — 482 0.032%
2002 — 476 0.0318%
2003 — 502 0.033%
2004 — 464 0.0304%
2005 — 527 0.0345%
2006 — 581 0.0371%
2007 — 540 0.0342%
2008 — 546 0.0353%
2009 — 477 0.0319%
2010 — 471 0.0327%
2011 — 478 0.0336%
2012 — 449 0.0315%
2013 — 509 0.0358%
2014 — 625 0.0429%
2015 — 661 0.0454%
2016 — 715 0.0496%
2017 — 669 0.0479%
2018 — 646 0.047%
2019 — 696 0.0514%
2020 — 622 0.0489%
2021 — 770 0.063%
2022 — 755 0.0572%
2023 — 751 0.058%

Alaska (AK)

Alabama (AL)

Arkansas (AR)

Arizona (AZ)

California (CA)

Colorado (CO)

Connecticut (CT)

District of Columbia (DC)

Delaware (DE)

Florida (FL)

Georgia (GA)

Hawaii (HI)

Iowa (IA)

Idaho (ID)

Illinois (IL)

Indiana (IN)

Kansas (KS)

Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)

Massachusetts (MA)

Maryland (MD)

Maine (ME)

Michigan (MI)

Minnesota (MN)

Missouri (MO)

Mississippi (MS)

Montana (MT)

North Carolina (NC)

North Dakota (ND)

Nebraska (NE)

New Hampshire (NH)

New Jersey (NJ)

New Mexico (NM)

Nevada (NV)

New York (NY)

Ohio (OH)

Oklahoma (OK)

Oregon (OR)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Rhode Island (RI)

South Carolina (SC)

South Dakota (SD)

Tennessee (TN)

Texas (TX)

Utah (UT)

Virginia (VA)

Vermont (VT)

Washington (WA)

Wisconsin (WI)

West Virginia (WV)

Wyoming (WY)

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

Elianna

God has answered

Hebrew

Merry

Joyful, lighthearted

English

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.


Share your thoughts on the name Franklin

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required *

*