boys' name · peaked 1963

Franz

From German Franz. Doublet of Francis.

Every Franz since 1889 — 2,864 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
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1889Boys
Rank 2025
#5,459
among boys
Babies in 2025
17
named Franz
Peak year
1963
60 babies
All-time total
2,864
since 1889

The story of Franz

Franz is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,459 in 2025 with 17 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1889, 2,864 American babies have been named Franz. Its peak came in 1963, when 60 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 Franz stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Franz year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 17 #5,459
2024 17 #5,512
2023 11 #7,429
2022 11 #7,421
2021 14 #6,132
2020 14 #6,073
2019 8 #9,153
2018 12 #6,836
2017 12 #6,821
2016 20 #4,838
2015 15 #5,821
2014 11 #7,207
2013 26 #3,892
2012 18 #5,105
2011 11 #7,152
2010 15 #5,827
2009 17 #5,393
2008 11 #7,363
2007 18 #5,074
2006 22 #4,274
2005 13 #5,982
2004 21 #4,164
2003 18 #4,490
2002 19 #4,226
2001 23 #3,656
2000 17 #4,455
1995 25 #2,869
1990 29 #2,394
1985 26 #2,140
1980 41 #1,503
1975 40 #1,387
1970 46 #1,229
1965 55 #998
1960 42 #1,216
1955 35 #1,279
1950 24 #1,509
1945 18 #1,598
1940 26 #1,317
1935 21 #1,511
1930 18 #1,777
1925 17 #1,957
1920 17 #1,989
1915 21 #1,524
1910 5 #1,679
1905
1900
1895 5 #1,143
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Franz

  1. Franz Kafka Writer · 1883–1924
  2. Franz Schubert Composer · 1797–1828
  3. Franz Joseph I of Austria Politician · 1830–1916
  4. Franz Liszt Musician · 1811–1886
  5. Franz Beckenbauer Soccer player · b. 1945

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

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Franz mean?

From German Franz. Doublet of Francis.

How popular is the name Franz in 2025?

Franz ranked #5,459 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 17 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Franz?

2,864 babies have been named Franz in the United States since 1889, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Franz most popular?

Franz peaked in 1963, when 60 newborns received the name.

Is Franz a boy or girl name?

Franz is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Franz rising or falling?

Franz has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Franz?

Well-known people named Franz include Franz Kafka (writer), Franz Schubert (composer), Franz Joseph I of Austria (politician).

Names like Franz

Compare Franz with similar names →