Unisex name · peaked 1918

France

From Middle English France, from Old French France, from Latin Francia, from Francī, the name of a Germanic tribe, of unclear (but Proto-Germanic) origin.

Every France since 1894 — 1,538 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.010.020.030.0418801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named France
Peak year
1918
74 babies
All-time total
1,538
since 1894

The story of France

France 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 1894, 1,538 American babies have been named France — about 75% girls and 25% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1918, when 74 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.

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 France stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

France 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
2024
2023
2022
2021 5 #12,744
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 5 #17,349
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995 5 #14,175
1990 6 #11,862
1985 8 #7,800
1980 14 #5,059
1975
1970 13 #4,317 5 #4,968
1965 23 #2,559
1960 22 #2,593 6 #3,793
1955 12 #3,443 5 #4,053
1950 18 #2,376
1945 24 #1,712
1940 16 #2,054
1935 26 #1,464
1930 21 #1,769 8 #3,121
1925 16 #2,318 8 #3,238
1920 28 #1,563 14 #2,258
1915 12 #2,448 9 #2,705
1910 7 #2,008
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named France

  1. France Prešeren Writer · 1800–1849
  2. France Gall Singer · 1947–2018

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name France mean?

From Middle English France, from Old French France, from Latin Francia, from Francī, the name of a Germanic tribe, of unclear (but Proto-Germanic) origin.

How popular is the name France in 2025?

France 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 France?

1,538 babies have been named France in the United States since 1894, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name France most popular?

France peaked in 1918, when 74 newborns received the name.

Is France a boy or girl name?

France is used for both: about 75% of babies named France have been girls and 25% boys.

Is the name France rising or falling?

France is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named France?

Well-known people named France include France Prešeren (writer), France Gall (singer).

Names like France

Compare France with similar names →