boys' name · peaked 1918

Frank

From Middle English Frank, partially from Old English Franca (“a Frank”); and partially from Old French Franc, and/or Latin Francus (“a Frank”), from Frankish *Franko…

Every Frank since 1880 — 920,589 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
1020304018801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#514
among boys
Babies in 2025
584
named Frank
Peak year
1918
17,089 babies
All-time total
920,589
since 1880

The story of Frank

Frank is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #514 in 2025 with 584 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 920,589 American babies have been named Frank. Its peak came in 1918, when 17,089 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 Frank stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Frank 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 584 #514
2024 658 #469
2023 650 #469
2022 708 #440
2021 691 #445
2020 694 #428
2019 773 #403
2018 807 #392
2017 890 #373
2016 957 #353
2015 945 #355
2014 991 #336
2013 1,007 #327
2012 985 #320
2011 1,048 #308
2010 1,077 #302
2009 1,138 #291
2008 1,228 #278
2007 5 #18,555 1,333 #262
2006 1,401 #246
2005 1,480 #231
2004 1,466 #230
2003 1,500 #230
2002 1,587 #216
2001 1,634 #214
2000 1,708 #209
1995 17 #5,514 2,247 #157
1990 13 #6,592 3,188 #109
1985 28 #3,184 3,302 #90
1980 27 #3,151 3,734 #81
1975 36 #2,287 4,212 #66
1970 49 #1,810 6,805 #48
1965 30 #2,167 8,319 #43
1960 37 #1,860 10,755 #40
1955 24 #2,238 11,109 #34
1950 30 #1,737 11,606 #29
1945 30 #1,491 10,874 #21
1940 36 #1,227 10,595 #20
1935 55 #942 10,420 #16
1930 88 #746 12,535 #13
1925 99 #746 15,329 #12
1920 65 #907 16,430 #9
1915 62 #828 15,006 #9
1910 21 #954 3,768 #8
1905 22 #787 2,837 #8
1900 19 #871 3,477 #8
1895 27 #581 3,012 #6
1890 34 #436 3,078 #6
1885 18 #509 3,067 #6
1880 13 #479 3,242 #6

Famous people named Frank

  1. Frank Sinatra Singer · 1915–1998
  2. Frank Lloyd Wright Architect · 1867–1959
  3. Frank Zappa Musician · 1940–1993
  4. Frank Gehry Architect · b. 1929
  5. Frank Abagnale Mafioso · b. 1948

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

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Frank mean?

From Middle English Frank, partially from Old English Franca (“a Frank”); and partially from Old French Franc, and/or Latin Francus (“a Frank”), from Frankish *Franko (“a Frank”); both maybe from Proto-Germanic *frankô…

How popular is the name Frank in 2025?

Frank ranked #514 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 584 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Frank?

920,589 babies have been named Frank in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Frank most popular?

Frank peaked in 1918, when 17,089 newborns received the name.

Is Frank a boy or girl name?

Frank is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Frank rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Frank?

Well-known people named Frank include Frank Sinatra (singer), Frank Lloyd Wright (architect), Frank Zappa (musician).

Names like Frank

Compare Frank with similar names →