Fran
Fran is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Free person; French person.
Origin and history
Fran is a classic short form of Frances or Francesca, ultimately derived from a Germanic root referring to the Franks or a free person. It was most popular as a standalone female name in the mid-20th century in the United States. Today, it is predominantly used as a friendly nickname rather than a full legal name.
Popularity in the United States
4,965 babies in the United States have been named Fran since 1880. It ranks #2478 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NY (40.4 %)
- IL (6.2 %)
- PA (6.2 %)
- CA (5.9 %)
- TX (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 66 |
| 1920-1930 | 106 |
| 1930-1940 | 279 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,171 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,694 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,294 |
| 1970-1980 | 258 |
| 1980-1990 | 86 |
| 1990-2000 | 6 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 5 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Fran
- Fran Drescher: Actress, Comedian
- Fran Walsh: Screenwriter, Producer
- Fran Lebowitz: Author, Public Speaker
Fun facts
- Fran originated as a nickname for Frances or Francis before gaining occasional standalone usage.
- Fran peaked in standalone popularity for females in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.