Fran
A diminutive of the female given names Frances and Francine.
Every Fran since 1912 — 5,339 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Fran
Fran is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1912, 5,339 American babies have been named Fran — about 93% girls and 7% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1960, when 297 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Fran stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Fran year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 6 | #11,111 |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | 6 | #11,211 |
| 2016 | — | — | 7 | #9,996 |
| 2015 | 5 | #17,348 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | 5 | #12,877 |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 5 | #11,939 |
| 2003 | — | — | 8 | #8,090 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #11,256 |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | 5 | #8,561 |
| 1985 | 7 | #8,633 | — | — |
| 1980 | 17 | #4,385 | 10 | #3,937 |
| 1975 | 25 | #2,898 | — | — |
| 1970 | 39 | #2,093 | 7 | #3,985 |
| 1965 | 100 | #1,050 | 9 | #2,861 |
| 1960 | 280 | #593 | 17 | #2,000 |
| 1955 | 177 | #710 | 5 | #4,052 |
| 1950 | 97 | #901 | — | — |
| 1945 | 100 | #751 | 6 | #3,119 |
| 1940 | 60 | #930 | — | — |
| 1935 | 34 | #1,230 | 9 | #2,596 |
| 1930 | 12 | #2,592 | — | — |
| 1925 | 12 | #2,837 | — | — |
| 1920 | 8 | #3,738 | — | — |
| 1915 | 6 | #3,952 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Fran
- Fran Drescher Actor · b. 1957
- Fran Krsto Frankopan Writer · 1643–1671
- Fran Levstik Writer · 1831–1887
- Fran Walsh Film director · b. 1959
- Fran Soccer player · b. 1969
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fran mean?
A diminutive of the female given names Frances and Francine.
How popular is the name Fran in 2025?
Fran did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Fran?
5,339 babies have been named Fran in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Fran most popular?
Fran peaked in 1960, when 297 newborns received the name.
Is Fran a boy or girl name?
Fran is used for both: about 93% of babies named Fran have been girls and 7% boys.
Is the name Fran rising or falling?
Fran is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Fran?
Well-known people named Fran include Fran Drescher (actor), Fran Krsto Frankopan (writer), Fran Levstik (writer).