A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Franklin since 1880
Babies named Franklin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,098 |
| 1890s | 986 |
| 1900s | 1,196 |
| 1910s | 8,005 |
| 1920s | 12,509 |
| 1930s | 26,381 |
| 1940s | 19,312 |
| 1950s | 17,007 |
| 1960s | 13,892 |
| 1970s | 9,352 |
| 1980s | 8,224 |
| 1990s | 7,121 |
| 2000s | 5,487 |
| 2010s | 6,317 |
| 2020s | 4,841 |
Meaning & origin
Franklin is a classic English name reflecting social status and independence. Driven by admiration for Benjamin Franklin, it saw its greatest use in the early 20th century, peaking in 1933. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 2003, with a rank of 359 and a 1-in-1,879 rate in 2025. It remains especially favored in states like South Dakota, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Its strong sound and historical weight make it a solid choice for parents seeking a traditional name with American roots.
Franklin derives from the Middle English 'frankeleyn,' meaning a free man or landowner, a status below the nobility but above a yeoman. The term originally comes from Anglo-French 'franc' (free) and the suffix '-lein' (diminutive). By the late Middle Ages, it was used as a surname before gaining popularity as a given name in honor of Benjamin Franklin in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Where Franklin is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Franklin” around the world
Where Franklin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
New Zealand
21
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Frank, Frankie, Fran
Sibling names for Franklin
Names that share Franklin's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Eleanor, Beatrice, Catherine, Margaret, Alice, Marinda, Virgina, Americus, Dorsie, Francena, Selinda, Caldonia, Columbia, Francenia, Franceen
Brothers: Theodore, Henry, Walter, Arthur, George, Elvis, Harmon, Roosevelt, Woodrow, Burnett, Rosevelt, Washington, Adams, Elbridge, Raynor, Roosvelt, Cranford, Leverett
Names like Franklin
Names whose popularity has moved with Franklin's over the last 50 years.
