Frances Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

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

Fact: Frances is a name often used in literature. Notably, Frances Hodgson Burnett, the author of “The Secret Garden,” shares this name.

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A Deep Dive

Frances Overview

Meaning

From France, free one

Gender

Girl, Gender-neutral

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin name Franciscus, meaning “from France” or “free man”​

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈfrænsɪs/

Popularity

Frances remains a timeless choice, especially in English-speaking countries. In the USA, Frances ranked 404th for girls in 2023​

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Cool, Aesthetic, Unique

Associated Traits

Classic, refined, wholesome, mature

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Frances has been borne by many notable figures, including Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American to be canonized​

Name Day

March 9th (Italy)​
A Deep Dive

Frances Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Francesca, Francis, Françoise, Francine, Francisca, Franziska

Common Nicknames

Frannie, Fanny, Essie

Diminutives

Franny, Fran, Frankie

Famous People

  • Frances McDormand
    (American Actress)
  • Frances Bean Cobain
    (American Artist)
  • Frances Fisher
    (British-American Actress)
  • Frances Conroy
    (American Actress)
  • Frances E. Willard
    (American Educator)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Frances Houseman
    ("Dirty Dancing," Film)
  • Frances "Baby" Houseman
    ("Dirty Dancing," Film)
  • Frances Underwood
    ("House of Cards," TV Series)
  • Frances Stevens
    ("To Catch a Thief," Film)

Places

  • Frances Town
    (South Australia, Australia)
  • Frances Lake
    (Yukon, Canada)
  • Frances Slocum State Park
    (Pennsylvania, USA)
  • Mount Frances
    (Alaska, USA)
  • Frances Beach
    (São Paulo, Brazil)

What Is the Meaning of Frances?

The name Frances means “free one” or “from France.” It communicates a sense of liberty and independence, suggesting a person who values freedom and individuality.

What Is the Origin of The Name Frances?

Frances is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means “Frenchman” or “free one.” It has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, reflecting its deep historical and linguistic roots.

Frances Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#3912021#4192022#4042023
Top 3 Rankings#81918#91912#91913

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Frances

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023404
(+15 from 2022)
755
(+1 from 2022)
0.04316
2022419
(-28 from 2021)
754
(-47 from 2021)
0.04205
2021391
(+27 from 2020)
801
(+57 from 2020)
0.04471
2020418
(+20 from 2019)
744
(+26 from 2019)
0.04209
2019438
(+3 from 2018)
718
(-5 from 2018)
0.03913
2018441
(-4 from 2017)
723
(-7 from 2017)
0.03888
2017437
(+9 from 2016)
730
(+9 from 2016)
0.03864
2016446
(+67 from 2015)
721
(+108 from 2015)
0.03724
2015513
(+90 from 2014)
613
(+129 from 2014)
0.03142
2014603
(+88 from 2013)
484
(+76 from 2013)
0.02474
2013691
(+72 from 2012)
408
(+44 from 2012)
0.02117
2012763
(+19 from 2011)
364
(+16 from 2011)
0.01877
2011782
(-13 from 2010)
348
(-8 from 2010)
0.01796
2010769
(+29 from 2009)
356
(+2 from 2009)
0.01816
2009798
(-5 from 2008)
354
(-14 from 2008)
0.01748
2008793
(+33 from 2007)
368
(+21 from 2007)
0.01767
2007826
(-64 from 2006)
347
(-13 from 2006)
0.01639
2006762
(-9 from 2005)
360
(+5 from 2005)
0.01722
2005753
(-114 from 2004)
355
(-72 from 2004)
0.01749
2004639
(-33 from 2003)
427
(-22 from 2003)
0.02116
2003606
(+10 from 2002)
449
(+34 from 2002)
0.02238
2002616
(-26 from 2001)
415
(-14 from 2001)
0.02101
2001590
(-18 from 2000)
429
(-25 from 2000)
0.02166
2000572
(-52 from 1999)
454
(-34 from 1999)
0.02275
1999520
(-49 from 1998)
488
(-59 from 1998)
0.02507
1998471
(+3 from 1997)
547
(+16 from 1997)
0.02822
1997474
(-15 from 1996)
531
(-13 from 1996)
0.02781
1996459
(-9 from 1995)
544
(-27 from 1995)
0.02837
1995450
(-39 from 1994)
571
(-37 from 1994)
0.02972
1994411
(-17 from 1993)
608
(-33 from 1993)
0.03119
1993394
(-7 from 1992)
641
(-27 from 1992)
0.03251
1992387
(-27 from 1991)
668
(-43 from 1991)
0.03332
1991360
(-9 from 1990)
711
(-48 from 1990)
0.03497
1990351
(-27 from 1989)
759
(-22 from 1989)
0.03695
1989324
(-17 from 1988)
781
(-26 from 1988)
0.03920
1988307
(-4 from 1987)
807
(+2 from 1987)
0.04196
1987303
(+10 from 1986)
805
(+40 from 1986)
0.04295
1986313
(-18 from 1985)
765
(-69 from 1985)
0.04145
1985295
(-13 from 1984)
834
(-21 from 1984)
0.04517
1984282
(-12 from 1983)
855
(-20 from 1983)
0.04741
1983270
(+1 from 1982)
875
(-29 from 1982)
0.04889
1982271
No change from 1981
904
(-21 from 1981)
0.04983
1981271
(-4 from 1980)
925
(-13 from 1980)
0.05172
1980267
No change from 1979
938
(+25 from 1979)
0.05268
1979267
(-12 from 1978)
913
(-11 from 1978)
0.05298
1978255
(+10 from 1977)
924
(-16 from 1977)
0.05621
1977265
(-18 from 1976)
940
(-8 from 1976)
0.05714
1976247
(-13 from 1975)
948
(-82 from 1975)
0.06031
1975234
(+4 from 1974)
1030
(-38 from 1974)
0.06599
1974238
(-21 from 1973)
1068
(-88 from 1973)
0.06819
1973217
(-1 from 1972)
1156
(-124 from 1972)
0.07438
1972216
(-10 from 1971)
1280
(-173 from 1971)
0.07938
1971206
(-7 from 1970)
1453
(-175 from 1970)
0.08291
1970199
(-4 from 1969)
1628
(-13 from 1969)
0.08887
1969195
(-10 from 1968)
1641
(-101 from 1968)
0.09309
1968185
(-15 from 1967)
1742
(-127 from 1967)
0.10189
1967170
(-8 from 1966)
1869
(-257 from 1966)
0.10886
1966162
(+1 from 1965)
2126
(-136 from 1965)
0.12109
1965163
(-11 from 1964)
2262
(-337 from 1964)
0.12378
1964152
(-6 from 1963)
2599
(-146 from 1963)
0.13278
1963146
(-3 from 1962)
2745
(-257 from 1962)
0.13807
1962143
(-8 from 1961)
3002
(-418 from 1961)
0.14811
1961135
(-8 from 1960)
3420
(-172 from 1960)
0.16465
1960127
(-3 from 1959)
3592
(-124 from 1959)
0.17271
1959124
(-6 from 1958)
3716
(-129 from 1958)
0.17877
1958118
(-5 from 1957)
3845
(-251 from 1957)
0.18613
1957113
(-6 from 1956)
4096
(-229 from 1956)
0.19522
1956107
(-11 from 1955)
4325
(-316 from 1955)
0.21000
195596
(-13 from 1954)
4641
(-512 from 1954)
0.23148
195483
(-11 from 1953)
5153
(-633 from 1953)
0.25884
195372
(-5 from 1952)
5786
(-294 from 1952)
0.29987
195267
(-8 from 1951)
6080
(-504 from 1951)
0.31966
195159
(-8 from 1950)
6584
(-390 from 1950)
0.35642
195051
(-2 from 1949)
6974
(-466 from 1949)
0.39658
194949
(-7 from 1948)
7440
(-739 from 1948)
0.42381
194842
(-3 from 1947)
8179
(-763 from 1947)
0.46933
194739
No change from 1946
8942
(+492 from 1946)
0.49189
194639
(-5 from 1945)
8450
(+510 from 1945)
0.52390
194534
(-1 from 1944)
7940
(-546 from 1944)
0.58985
194433
(-2 from 1943)
8486
(-962 from 1943)
0.62099
194331
(-1 from 1942)
9448
(-23 from 1942)
0.65821
194230
(+1 from 1941)
9471
(+1005 from 1941)
0.68113
194131
(-3 from 1940)
8466
(-156 from 1940)
0.67946
194028
(-2 from 1939)
8622
(+45 from 1939)
0.72985
193926
(-3 from 1938)
8577
(-345 from 1938)
0.75630
193823
(-4 from 1937)
8922
(-135 from 1937)
0.78164
193719
No change from 1936
9057
(+268 from 1936)
0.82198
193619
No change from 1935
8789
(+20 from 1935)
0.81564
193519
No change from 1934
8769
(-437 from 1934)
0.80689
193419
(-1 from 1933)
9206
(+323 from 1933)
0.85056
193318
(+1 from 1932)
8883
(-669 from 1932)
0.84920
193219
(-1 from 1931)
9552
(-166 from 1931)
0.86342
193118
(-2 from 1930)
9718
(-926 from 1930)
0.88048
193016
No change from 1929
10644
(-448 from 1929)
0.91251
192916
(-3 from 1928)
11092
(-1045 from 1928)
0.95823
192813
(-1 from 1927)
12137
(-851 from 1927)
1.01520
192712
(-2 from 1926)
12988
(-367 from 1926)
1.05043
192610
(+1 from 1925)
13355
(-470 from 1925)
1.08562
192511
(-1 from 1924)
13825
(-1358 from 1924)
1.09455
192410
No change from 1923
15183
(+302 from 1923)
1.17182
192310
No change from 1922
14881
(-173 from 1922)
1.18814
192210
(-1 from 1921)
15054
(-939 from 1921)
1.20666
19219
No change from 1920
15993
(+110 from 1920)
1.24973
19209
No change from 1919
15883
(+776 from 1919)
1.27673
19199
(-1 from 1918)
15107
(-1024 from 1918)
1.28610
19188
(+1 from 1917)
16131
(+1768 from 1917)
1.34162
19179
No change from 1916
14363
(+617 from 1916)
1.27820
19169
No change from 1915
13746
(+960 from 1915)
1.26608
19159
No change from 1914
12786
(+3109 from 1914)
1.24880
19149
No change from 1913
9677
(+1983 from 1913)
1.21475
19139
No change from 1912
7694
(+1014 from 1912)
1.17481
19129
(+1 from 1911)
6680
(+1713 from 1911)
1.13854
191110
(+1 from 1910)
4967
(+519 from 1910)
1.12422
191011
(+1 from 1909)
4448
(+668 from 1909)
1.06024
190912
(+2 from 1908)
3780
(+187 from 1908)
1.02691
190814
(+2 from 1907)
3593
(+294 from 1907)
1.01345
190716
(-2 from 1906)
3299
(+273 from 1906)
0.97768
190614
(+2 from 1905)
3026
(+139 from 1905)
0.96543
190516
No change from 1904
2887
(+230 from 1904)
0.93170
190416
(+3 from 1903)
2657
(+292 from 1903)
0.90858
190319
(+4 from 1902)
2365
(+39 from 1902)
0.85012
190223
(+2 from 1901)
2326
(+255 from 1901)
0.82974
190125
(+1 from 1900)
2071
(-424 from 1900)
0.81462
190026
(-2 from 1899)
2495
(+437 from 1899)
0.78524
189924
(-2 from 1898)
2058
(-321 from 1898)
0.83155
189822
(+5 from 1897)
2379
(+404 from 1897)
0.86779
189727
No change from 1896
1975
(+11 from 1896)
0.79549
189627
(+2 from 1895)
1964
(+131 from 1895)
0.77939
189529
No change from 1894
1833
(+57 from 1894)
0.74179
189429
(+5 from 1893)
1776
(+154 from 1893)
0.75263
189334
(-3 from 1892)
1622
(-48 from 1892)
0.72015
189231
(+3 from 1891)
1670
(+273 from 1891)
0.74251
189134
(-1 from 1890)
1397
(-19 from 1890)
0.71070
189033
(+1 from 1889)
1416
(+65 from 1889)
0.70216
188934
(-4 from 1888)
1351
(-101 from 1888)
0.71399
188830
(+4 from 1887)
1452
(+347 from 1887)
0.76645
188734
(+4 from 1886)
1105
(+46 from 1886)
0.71096
188638
(+8 from 1885)
1059
(+215 from 1885)
0.68885
188546
No change from 1884
844
(+55 from 1884)
0.59459
188446
(-1 from 1883)
789
(+79 from 1883)
0.57346
188345
No change from 1882
710
(+29 from 1882)
0.59137
188245
No change from 1881
681
(+95 from 1881)
0.58862
188145
(-3 from 1880)
586
(-19 from 1880)
0.59279
188042
First SSA data recorded
605
First SSA data recorded
0.61985

American States Popularity Rankings for Frances

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

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3302021#4052022#4732023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#3682021#5812022#4082023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#6192021#7412022#6312023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4192021#4322022#4562023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2662021#2992022#3062023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#4302021#3222022#2422023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4182021#4722022#4362023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3982021#5002022#3352023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4932021#3812022#3962023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#5732021#4162022#5372023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3042021#2982022#4902023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#3562021#2202022#2992023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2802021#5792022#4562023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4452021#3042022#2562023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1852021#4992022#1952023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3252021#2722022#2692023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4752021#5842022#4442023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3532021#5912022#5982023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#9992021#7392022#7622023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3392020#4912021#3262023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5442021#6192022#3902023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1841985#2651986#2621987

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#6062021#3902022#4792023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#7822019#6522022#4922023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4352020#2682021#3482023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3622018#4162019#2962021

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2892020#2162022#4002023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4782021#3162022#3692023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2222021#2192022#2372023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4002021#2732022#5242023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2252021#2472022#2572023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2852021#5382022#3122023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5242021#5682022#9962023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4632004#4352014#3122017

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4522021#2242022#1752023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1072021#672022#1902023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2062021#1292022#1692023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1882020#1562021#1402022

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2171969#2032017#1832023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1771967#2091970#1921977

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1922014#1832021#2062023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2191965#2081969#2151979

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2931979#3091980#1751984

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4012019#2322020#2222021

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1431972#1411976#1281979

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4752021#4902022#4582023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1941974#2382015#2352021

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1491963#1251964#1161976

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1001957#1561958#1011961

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4832014#4752017#5802018

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1842004#1372016#1572022

Popularity Rankings for Frances 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#242000

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#741963#721964#981965

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#102XXXX

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2902021#3572022#1222023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#4082011#2132012#1642013

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2442020#4032022#4082023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#3192022#3132023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3922019#3522020#4382021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4852021#3802022#3952023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4402013#4402016#4322017

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#8712019#6612021#8562023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7292013

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#9911981#7671982#8191985

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

Is Frances a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Frances is traditionally feminine. Over time, it has been embraced as a girl’s name due to its elegant and sophisticated sound.

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

Frances in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Frances McDormand (Actress, born 1957): An American actress who has won multiple Academy Awards for her performances in films like "Fargo" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."
  • Frances Bean Cobain (Artist, born 1992): An American visual artist and model, and the daughter of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
  • Frances Fisher (Actress, born 1952): A British-American actress known for her roles in "Titanic" and "Unforgiven."
  • Frances Conroy (Actress, born 1953): An American actress recognized for her roles in "Six Feet Under" and "American Horror Story."
  • Frances E. Willard (Educator, 1839–1898): An American educator, temperance reformer, and women's suffragist.
  • Frances Marion (Screenwriter, 1888–1973): An American screenwriter who wrote scripts for many successful films in the early 20th century.
  • Frances Houseman ("Dirty Dancing," 1987 Film): A young woman who falls in love with a dance instructor during a summer vacation at a resort.
  • Frances "Baby" Houseman ("Dirty Dancing," 1987 Film): A teenage girl who learns to dance and discovers love at a summer resort.
  • Frances Underwood ("House of Cards," 2013 TV Series): The ambitious wife of Frank Underwood, who plays a crucial role in his rise to power.
  • Frances Stevens ("To Catch a Thief," 1955 Film): A wealthy American heiress who becomes romantically involved with a retired cat burglar.
  • "Frances Ha" (2012 Film): Follows the life of a young woman in New York City who dreams of becoming a professional dancer.
  • Frances "Frankie" Heck ("The Middle," 2009 TV Series): A middle-aged, middle-class mom trying to manage her dysfunctional family in Indiana.
  • "Saving Francesca" (2003 Novel): A story about a teenage girl navigating her way through a difficult year at a new school.
  • Frances City (South Australia, Australia): A small rural town located near the border with Victoria.
  • Frances Lake (Yukon, Canada): A large lake situated in southeastern Yukon, surrounded by wilderness.
  • Frances Slocum State Park (Pennsylvania, USA): A state park named after a young girl captured by Native Americans, featuring a large lake and recreational activities.
  • Frances River (Northern Territory, Australia): A river flowing through the Victoria River district, providing habitat for various wildlife.
  • Mount Frances (Alaska, USA): A mountain located in Denali National Park, offering challenging climbs and scenic views.
  • Frances Beach (São Paulo, Brazil): A popular beach destination in the town of São Sebastião.
  • Frances Street Park (New Westminster, Canada): A community park offering green spaces, playgrounds, and walking paths.

Similar Names to Frances

Sibling Names for Frances