Franklin Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Franklin Name Meaning

Fact: Franklin is the name of a crater on the Moon, named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, reflecting his contributions to science.

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A Deep Dive

Franklin Overview

Meaning

Free landholder

Gender

Boy

Origin

English

Etymology

Derived from the Middle English word “frankelin”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈfræŋklɪn/

Popularity

Franklin is well-known in the United States, England, and other English-speaking countries. In the USA, Franklin ranked #410 for boys in 2023

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

4 (Orderly, Steady, Service-oriented)

Name Styles

Vintage, Classic, Cool

Associated Traits

Strong, mature, refined, serious.

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Franklin has historical significance, particularly associated with notable figures like Benjamin Franklin and Franklin D. Roosevelt, symbolizing leadership and innovation​

Name Day

October 10th (Germany)
A Deep Dive

Franklin Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Franklyn, Francis, Francesco, Franco

Common Nicknames

Frankie, Franky, Lin, Franko, Flin

Diminutives

Frank, Fran, Linny, Lino, Franny

Famous People

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
    (American U.S. President)
  • Benjamin Franklin
    (American Founding Father)
  • Franklin Pierce
    (American U.S. President)
  • Aretha Franklin
    (American Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Franklin"
    (TV Series)
  • Franklin Richards
    ("Fantastic Four," Comic Series)
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
    ("The Roosevelts: An Intimate History," Documentary Series)
  • Franklin Clinton
    ("Grand Theft Auto V," Video Game)

Places

  • Franklin City
    (Tennessee, USA)
  • Franklin Park
    (Massachusetts, USA)
  • Franklin River
    (Tasmania, Australia)
  • Franklin County
    (Ohio, USA)
  • Franklin Mountains State Park
    (Texas, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Franklin?

Franklin means “free landholder.” Those named Franklin are often associated with independence and a sense of responsibility.

What Is the Origin of The Name Franklin?

The name Franklin has its roots in Middle English, derived from the Old French word “franc” meaning “free,” and the suffix “-lein,” used to indicate a landowner. It was used in medieval England to describe a freeholder who was neither a serf nor a noble.

Franklin Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Franklin in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#3952021#4082022#4102023
Top 3 Rankings#331933#461934#641936

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Franklin

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023410
(-2 from 2022)
776
(-9 from 2022)
0.04238
2022408
(-13 from 2021)
785
(-15 from 2021)
0.04191
2021395
(+18 from 2020)
800
(+84 from 2020)
0.04270
2020413
(+9 from 2019)
716
(-23 from 2019)
0.03871
2019422
(+14 from 2018)
739
(+46 from 2018)
0.03845
2018436
(+2 from 2017)
693
(-15 from 2017)
0.03565
2017438
(-15 from 2016)
708
(-37 from 2016)
0.03577
2016423
(+21 from 2015)
745
(+55 from 2015)
0.03678
2015444
(+6 from 2014)
690
(+28 from 2014)
0.03375
2014450
(+47 from 2013)
662
(+112 from 2013)
0.03231
2013497
(+32 from 2012)
550
(+55 from 2012)
0.02722
2012529
(-30 from 2011)
495
(-25 from 2011)
0.02439
2011499
(+6 from 2010)
520
(+10 from 2010)
0.02560
2010505
(+23 from 2009)
510
(-1 from 2009)
0.02482
2009528
(-59 from 2008)
511
(-78 from 2008)
0.02409
2008469
No change from 2007
589
(+9 from 2007)
0.02701
2007469
(-31 from 2006)
580
(-42 from 2006)
0.02618
2006438
(+13 from 2005)
622
(+55 from 2005)
0.02837
2005451
(+38 from 2004)
567
(+60 from 2004)
0.02665
2004489
(-23 from 2003)
507
(-32 from 2003)
0.02399
2003466
(+4 from 2002)
539
(+32 from 2002)
0.02565
2002470
(-17 from 2001)
507
(-26 from 2001)
0.02453
2001453
(-6 from 2000)
533
(+3 from 2000)
0.02577
2000447
(-36 from 1999)
530
(-43 from 1999)
0.02538
1999411
(-22 from 1998)
573
(-63 from 1998)
0.02810
1998389
(+8 from 1997)
636
(+46 from 1997)
0.03137
1997397
(-46 from 1996)
590
(-104 from 1996)
0.02953
1996351
(+12 from 1995)
694
(+32 from 1995)
0.03464
1995363
(-13 from 1994)
662
(-40 from 1994)
0.03291
1994350
(-6 from 1993)
702
(-2 from 1993)
0.03444
1993344
(-34 from 1992)
704
(-145 from 1992)
0.03408
1992310
(-12 from 1991)
849
(-11 from 1991)
0.04044
1991298
(-2 from 1990)
860
(+8 from 1990)
0.04057
1990296
(-19 from 1989)
852
(-46 from 1989)
0.03959
1989277
(+3 from 1988)
898
(+67 from 1988)
0.04284
1988280
(-9 from 1987)
831
(+23 from 1987)
0.04150
1987271
(+1 from 1986)
808
(+22 from 1986)
0.04143
1986272
(-8 from 1985)
786
(-26 from 1985)
0.04090
1985264
(-1 from 1984)
812
(+16 from 1984)
0.04219
1984263
(+15 from 1983)
796
(+54 from 1983)
0.04241
1983278
(-20 from 1982)
742
(-115 from 1982)
0.03982
1982258
(+10 from 1981)
857
(+43 from 1981)
0.04541
1981268
(-15 from 1980)
814
(-65 from 1980)
0.04371
1980253
(-5 from 1979)
879
(+21 from 1979)
0.04739
1979248
(-1 from 1978)
858
(+21 from 1978)
0.04790
1978247
(-7 from 1977)
837
(-23 from 1977)
0.04899
1977240
(+7 from 1976)
860
(+56 from 1976)
0.05031
1976247
(-9 from 1975)
804
(-60 from 1975)
0.04925
1975238
(-9 from 1974)
864
(-49 from 1974)
0.05325
1974229
(-2 from 1973)
913
(-31 from 1973)
0.05600
1973227
(+4 from 1972)
944
(+16 from 1972)
0.05850
1972231
(-23 from 1971)
928
(-198 from 1971)
0.05543
1971208
No change from 1970
1126
(-94 from 1970)
0.06194
1970208
(-4 from 1969)
1220
(-4 from 1969)
0.06405
1969204
(-6 from 1968)
1224
(+42 from 1968)
0.06692
1968198
(-4 from 1967)
1182
(-18 from 1967)
0.06658
1967194
(-6 from 1966)
1200
(-104 from 1966)
0.06744
1966188
(-3 from 1965)
1304
(-64 from 1965)
0.07174
1965185
(+2 from 1964)
1368
(-133 from 1964)
0.07221
1964187
(+8 from 1963)
1501
(-18 from 1963)
0.07405
1963195
(+3 from 1962)
1519
(-12 from 1962)
0.07357
1962198
(-3 from 1961)
1531
(+5 from 1961)
0.07285
1961195
No change from 1960
1526
(-9 from 1960)
0.07075
1960195
(-5 from 1959)
1535
(-19 from 1959)
0.07089
1959190
(-8 from 1958)
1554
(-30 from 1958)
0.07173
1958182
(-2 from 1957)
1584
(-106 from 1957)
0.07351
1957180
(-13 from 1956)
1690
(-103 from 1956)
0.07721
1956167
(-5 from 1955)
1793
(+28 from 1955)
0.08354
1955162
(-5 from 1954)
1765
(-56 from 1954)
0.08444
1954157
(+1 from 1953)
1821
(+59 from 1953)
0.08801
1953158
(+1 from 1952)
1762
(+41 from 1952)
0.08800
1952159
(-7 from 1951)
1721
(+26 from 1951)
0.08721
1951152
(+1 from 1950)
1695
(+70 from 1950)
0.08867
1950153
(+2 from 1949)
1625
(+4 from 1949)
0.08934
1949155
(+4 from 1948)
1621
(+70 from 1948)
0.08996
1948159
(-7 from 1947)
1551
(-220 from 1947)
0.08700
1947152
(-11 from 1946)
1771
(+49 from 1946)
0.09534
1946141
(-22 from 1945)
1722
(-173 from 1945)
0.10434
1945119
(+2 from 1944)
1895
(+78 from 1944)
0.13817
1944121
(-2 from 1943)
1817
(-156 from 1943)
0.13080
1943119
(-16 from 1942)
1973
(-392 from 1942)
0.13564
1942103
(-5 from 1941)
2365
(+160 from 1941)
0.16793
194198
(-11 from 1940)
2205
(-186 from 1940)
0.17572
194087
(+19 from 1939)
2391
(+535 from 1939)
0.20157
1939106
(-6 from 1938)
1856
(-165 from 1938)
0.16377
1938100
(-23 from 1937)
2021
(-493 from 1937)
0.17783
193777
(-13 from 1936)
2514
(-425 from 1936)
0.22987
193664
(+7 from 1935)
2939
(+328 from 1935)
0.27614
193571
(-25 from 1934)
2611
(-1544 from 1934)
0.24411
193446
(-13 from 1933)
4155
(-1208 from 1933)
0.39127
193333
(+33 from 1932)
5363
(+2609 from 1932)
0.52569
193266
(+82 from 1931)
2754
(+1665 from 1931)
0.25632
1931148
(+1 from 1930)
1089
(+11 from 1930)
0.10180
1930149
(-1 from 1929)
1078
(+17 from 1929)
0.09544
1929148
(-2 from 1928)
1061
(-42 from 1928)
0.09579
1928146
(-2 from 1927)
1103
(-80 from 1927)
0.09666
1927144
(-2 from 1926)
1183
(-18 from 1926)
0.10181
1926142
(-8 from 1925)
1201
(-94 from 1925)
0.10485
1925134
No change from 1924
1295
(+11 from 1924)
0.11247
1924134
(-2 from 1923)
1284
(+20 from 1923)
0.10983
1923132
(-6 from 1922)
1264
(-53 from 1922)
0.11163
1922126
No change from 1921
1317
(-33 from 1921)
0.11705
1921126
(-7 from 1920)
1350
(-101 from 1920)
0.11864
1920119
(+10 from 1919)
1451
(+245 from 1919)
0.13182
1919129
No change from 1918
1206
(-69 from 1918)
0.11878
1918129
(-5 from 1917)
1275
(+81 from 1917)
0.12158
1917124
(+6 from 1916)
1194
(+121 from 1916)
0.12446
1916130
(+2 from 1915)
1073
(+72 from 1915)
0.11622
1915132
(+2 from 1914)
1001
(+231 from 1914)
0.11363
1914134
(-2 from 1913)
770
(+177 from 1913)
0.11269
1913132
(-3 from 1912)
593
(+96 from 1912)
0.11058
1912129
(+23 from 1911)
497
(+277 from 1911)
0.11009
1911152
(+18 from 1910)
220
(+44 from 1910)
0.09114
1910170
(-20 from 1909)
176
(+8 from 1909)
0.08441
1909150
(+21 from 1908)
168
(+35 from 1908)
0.09499
1908171
(+6 from 1907)
133
(+11 from 1907)
0.07994
1907177
(-21 from 1906)
122
(-3 from 1906)
0.07693
1906156
(+30 from 1905)
125
(+27 from 1905)
0.08677
1905186
(-17 from 1904)
98
(-10 from 1904)
0.06842
1904169
(-15 from 1903)
108
(-8 from 1903)
0.07798
1903154
(+21 from 1902)
116
(+19 from 1902)
0.08970
1902175
(-12 from 1901)
97
(+5 from 1901)
0.07307
1901163
(-12 from 1900)
92
(-45 from 1900)
0.07959
1900151
(-13 from 1899)
137
(+21 from 1899)
0.08450
1899138
(+13 from 1898)
116
(+4 from 1898)
0.10070
1898151
(+56 from 1897)
112
(+44 from 1897)
0.08478
1897207
(-43 from 1896)
68
(-28 from 1896)
0.05576
1896164
(-14 from 1895)
96
(-7 from 1895)
0.07438
1895150
(+29 from 1894)
103
(+19 from 1894)
0.08133
1894179
(-29 from 1893)
84
(-15 from 1893)
0.06726
1893150
(-3 from 1892)
99
(-10 from 1892)
0.08179
1892147
(-22 from 1891)
109
No change from 1891
0.08292
1891125
(+31 from 1890)
109
(+19 from 1890)
0.09976
1890156
(-8 from 1889)
90
(-10 from 1889)
0.07519
1889148
(-25 from 1888)
100
(-29 from 1888)
0.08401
1888123
(+20 from 1887)
129
(+40 from 1887)
0.09930
1887143
(-27 from 1886)
89
(-38 from 1886)
0.08142
1886116
(+2 from 1885)
127
(+10 from 1885)
0.10669
1885118
(+29 from 1884)
117
(+24 from 1884)
0.10091
1884147
(-16 from 1883)
93
(-1 from 1883)
0.07577
1883131
(-6 from 1882)
94
(-18 from 1882)
0.08357
1882125
(-18 from 1881)
112
(-5 from 1881)
0.09178
1881107
(+5 from 1880)
117
(-3 from 1880)
0.10806
1880112
First SSA data recorded
120
First SSA data recorded
0.10135

American States Popularity Rankings for Franklin

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#4662021#4682022#4382023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#4262021#3792022#4522023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#5642021#5582022#4542023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3752021#3602022#4002023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2732021#4952022#3222023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#6232021#4152022#3872023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5772021#5442022#5602023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3852021#3292022#2982023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3422021#3722022#5422023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3502021#3012022#4402023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#4772021#5132022#4602023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3652021#3572022#3422023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3102021#3562022#3152023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3702021#4202022#5832023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2762021#2572022#3052023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2782021#4642022#3722023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2992021#2782022#4032023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4952021#5242022#5302023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3092021#3452022#2742023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3352021#3302022#2972023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3742019#3782021#6042023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5652021#5142022#4072023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2682021#3492022#2972023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1802021#2052022#3992023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3802006#4702007#4812010

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2272021#1832022#2172023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2762021#2392022#3132023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3992021#2712022#2882023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3892021#3632022#3352023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#8512021#8602022#7402023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4442021#3402022#3202023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1572016#2362019#1672021

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#4682021#4262022#6062023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3002021#4712022#4432023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2552021#3832022#4042023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2402021#2602022#3432023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3932021#4132022#3892023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1691993#2142021#2522022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2721984#2271986#2691987

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3741999#3882005#4022019

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1371988#1641990#1521996

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1651954#1881955#1721977

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4142020#3732022#4302023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1371979#1471988#2182002

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1701954#1381972#2652016

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1501986#2352019#2102023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1181988#1661991#1632008

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3032018#4772019#5352021

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1021947#1091950#1061959

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1391991#1831996#1642002

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1501956#1411963#1431979

Popularity Rankings for Franklin in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#811999

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1901971#1981976#1981983

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2182021#4082022#2832023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3032019#2772020#2602021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#4332009#4842010#3902016

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3982014#4182019#4332021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#4212021#4232022#4432023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4961978

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#5342022#6042023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7322015#5982019

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#7152014#6462019#7792022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#10002017#9602020#7992021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Franklin a Name for Boys or Girls?

Typically, Franklin is a male name, reflecting its historical association with male landowners in medieval England.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Franklin

Franklin in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S. President, 1882–1945): The 32nd president of the United States who led the country through the Great Depression and World War II.
  • Benjamin Franklin (Founding Father, 1706–1790): One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, he was also an inventor, scientist, and diplomat.
  • Franklin Pierce (U.S. President, 1804–1869): The 14th president of the United States who served from 1853 to 1857.
  • Aretha Franklin (Singer, 1942–2018): The "Queen of Soul," she was a legendary American singer known for her powerful voice and hits like "Respect."
  • Franklin Chang-Díaz (Astronaut, born 1950): A Costa Rican-American physicist and former NASA astronaut who flew on seven Space Shuttle missions.
  • Franklin Cover (Actor, 1928–2006): An American actor best known for his role as Tom Willis on the sitcom "The Jeffersons."
  • Franklin Pangborn (Actor, 1889–1958): An American comedic actor known for his work in films during the 1930s and 1940s.
  • Franklin J. Schaffner (Director, 1920–1989): An American director famous for films like "Patton" and "Planet of the Apes."
  • "Franklin" (1997 TV Series): An animated series about a young turtle named Franklin who learns life lessons and grows with his friends.
  • Franklin Richards ("Fantastic Four," 1961 Comic Series): The son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, known for his immense reality-warping powers.
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt ("The Roosevelts: An Intimate History," 2014 Documentary Series): A comprehensive look at the life and legacy of the 32nd President of the United States.
  • Franklin Clinton ("Grand Theft Auto V," 2013 Video Game): A street hustler from Los Santos who becomes involved in major heists and criminal activities.
  • Benjamin Franklin ("Benjamin Franklin," 2002 Biography): A detailed account of the life of one of America's Founding Fathers and his contributions to science and politics.
  • Franklin Sherman ("The Critic," 1994 Animated Series): The eccentric father of Jay Sherman, known for his absurd and comedic behavior.
  • Franklin Blake ("The Moonstone," 1868 Novel by Wilkie Collins): The protagonist in the detective novel who works to solve the mystery of a stolen Indian diamond.
  • Franklin City (Tennessee, USA): A historic city famous for the Battle of Franklin during the American Civil War.
  • Franklin Park (Massachusetts, USA): An expansive urban park in Boston designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
  • Franklin River (Tasmania, Australia): A wild river known for its role in the environmental conservation movement in Australia.
  • Franklin County (Ohio, USA): The most populous county in Ohio, encompassing the state capital, Columbus.
  • Franklin Mountains State Park (Texas, USA): A large state park in El Paso offering hiking, rock climbing, and scenic views.
  • Franklin Village (Michigan, USA): A small village in Oakland County known for its preserved historic district.
  • Franklin Street (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA): A major thoroughfare in Chapel Hill lined with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Similar Names to Franklin

  • Franklyn
  • Fredrick
  • Finnian
  • Franco
  • Fenton

Sibling Names for Franklin