A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Franz since 1889
Babies named Franz per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1963, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Franz's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 7 |
| 1890s | 18 |
| 1900s | 17 |
| 1910s | 159 |
| 1920s | 151 |
| 1930s | 229 |
| 1940s | 243 |
| 1950s | 321 |
| 1960s | 446 |
| 1970s | 328 |
| 1980s | 299 |
| 1990s | 235 |
| 2000s | 179 |
| 2010s | 148 |
| 2020s | 84 |
Meaning & origin
Franz is a distinctly German name that has seen little use in the United States. First recorded in America in 1889, the name ranked 5,399 in 2025 with just one in 100,475 boys receiving it. Despite its low overall frequency, it has been on a rising trajectory since 2018, suggesting a possible revival. Historically, Franz peaked in 1889, the same year it first appeared, and it remains most common in Texas.
Franz is the German diminutive of Franziskus, the Latin form of Francis. The name ultimately derives from the Germanic element 'frank', meaning 'free', and was popularized by Saint Francis of Assisi. It has been common in German-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Where Franz is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Franzi
Sibling names for Franz
Names that share Franz's style, for a brother or sister.
