A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Florence since 1880
Babies named Florence per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Florence's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 16,699 |
| 1890s | 32,345 |
| 1900s | 36,191 |
| 1910s | 81,465 |
| 1920s | 88,295 |
| 1930s | 37,942 |
| 1940s | 20,393 |
| 1950s | 10,597 |
| 1960s | 5,081 |
| 1970s | 2,227 |
| 1980s | 1,272 |
| 1990s | 828 |
| 2000s | 600 |
| 2010s | 1,828 |
| 2020s | 3,330 |
Meaning & origin
Florence is a name with a long and storied history, rooted in the Latin word for 'flourishing.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and reached its peak popularity in 1893, when it was a top choice for parents. After a long decline, Florence has been steadily rising again since 2004, reflecting a broader revival of Victorian-era names. In 2025, it holds a rank of 391, with approximately 1 in 2019 baby girls receiving the name. The name has been especially favored in states like Oregon, Montana, and Maine. Its recent resurgence suggests that Florence, once seen as old-fashioned, is now appreciated for its elegant and timeless sound. The name's gentle meaning and soft, flowing pronunciation make it a strong candidate for parents seeking a classic yet underused choice.
Florence originated as the feminine form of the Latin name Florentius, derived from florens, meaning 'flourishing' or 'prosperous'. It was traditionally given in honor of Saint Florentia, a 4th-century virgin martyr. The name has been consistently used in the English-speaking world since the 19th century, peaking in popularity in the 1890s.
Where Florence is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Florence” around the world
Where Florence lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
22
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#25
in 2025
Quebec
#5
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#25
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Flo, Florrie, Ren, Floella
Sibling names for Florence
Names that share Florence's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Edith, Clara, Mabel, Beatrice, Violet, Agnes, Alberta, Eugenia, Eunice, Gertrude, Gladys, Irene, Lois, Mildred, Rose, Sylvia, Bertie, Blanch, Clair, Clarice, Clementine, Earnestine, Edwina, Edythe, Ethel, Ethelyn, Florine, Lorine, Lottie, Luella, Mabelle, Mable, Madge, Magdalene, Margery, Margurite, Maude, Venice, Winifred, Albertha, Annis, Burnice, Cicely, Coralie, Ethelene, Evaline, Eveline, Floria, Florinda, France, Gladis, Hildred, Hortensia, Italia, Italy, Majorie, Margrett, Mignon, Roselle, Sibyl, Virgina, Winnifred, Agness, Charlcie, Claressa, Clarise, Clorissa, Dorethea, Edmonia, Ellice, Elvena, Elynor, Etheleen, Ethlyn, Euphemia, Fidelia, Francena, Georgian, Hildreth, Jeannett, Jennetta, Laurelle, Lilliam, Margreat, Maurita, Minnette, Morley, Roselind, Sylvania, Venecia, Venezia, Aleatha, Alphia, Bertice, Ceclia, Clariece, Clarine, Edithe, Edwinna, Elsye, Florena, Genoa, Girtrude, Gladine, Hetty, Lavora, Loreda, Mabell, Macil, Margurette, Maudry, Murial, Paulyne, Sybella, Willoughby, Eithel, Francess, Armine, Bessye, Bettey, Charlottie, Eddith, Edwyna, Floreen, Marjoria, Mercia, Merian, Ruthel, Tressia, Walsie, Winefred
Brothers: Arthur, Albert, Walter, Frederick, Henry, Alfred, Bert, Chester, Clarence, Clyde, Earl, Earnest, Edward, Eugene, Fred, Freddie, Guy, Harry, Herbert, Herman, Leroy, Luther, Maurice, Milton, Morris, Murray, Ralph, Wallace, Wilbert, Wilbur, Wilfred, Archibald, Art, Augustine, Basil, Bernie, Berton, Bertram, Carroll, Chauncey, Claud, Columbus, Cornelius, Cornell, Crispin, Dudley, Earle, Edmon, Errol, Ervin, Gilford, Haywood, Hobart, Irving, Laurance, Manning, Maynard, Morton, Norris, Orval, Osborne, Percy, Rance, Rolland, Rome, Sanford, Seymour, Sherman, Sherwood, Steward, Vern, Verne, Waldo, Walt, Wilber, Wilford, Arther, Artis, Author, Chauncy, Clarance, Clearence, Clemon, Clive, Denton, Edgard, Furman, Hayward, Herb, Hillard, Hilliard, Lawrance, Linton, Lovell, Manford, Melton, Merwin, Randle, Roswell, Spurgeon, Wardell, Waymon, Webster, Welton, Alferd, Alger, Aurthur, Barnard, Bertis, Blanchard, Burgess, Burnie, Burr, Burtis, Captain, Clearnce, Cleave, Creston, Delmon, Dolph, Dow, Edwyn, Erle, Erving, Filbert, Fremont, Guilford, Hammond, Hervey, Hobson, Hurbert, Larence, Lawernce, Leanard, Lennard, Lenoard, Linford, Lorence, Manson, Marston, Melbourne, Melburn, Moe, Montague, Murrel, Orlanda, Perley, Radford, Raynold, Royden, Rubert, Sandford, Seward, Thurlow, Weyman, Wilferd, Wilmot, Woodroe, Worley, Algernon, Auther, Averill, Barnet, Bertrum, Bluford, Bueford, Burleigh, Clayburn, Comer, Crandall, Ervie, Firman, Gifford, Gladstone, Gurney, Herschell, Heywood, Holman, Jerrard, Jervis, Kassian, Laymon, Lilton, Littleton, Mance, Morse, Rawleigh, Seldon, Talbot, Telford, Theone, Warden, Williard, Dorance, Ellard, Eugean, Haward, Jewett, Leston, Bazil, Cliffard, Cranston, Derl, Elford, Fountain, Harbert, Hilman, Hubbert, Landrum, Larance, Lawarence, Leaman, Lional, Lomax, Lorance, Lovelace, Merville, Montford, Mort, Nolton, Oxford, Proctor, Reford, Tilford, Warnie, Welborn, Willet, Willett, Willford, Willys, Winfrey, Zurich
