Frances is a name of Latin origin that means "free man" or "from France". It is derived from the Latin word "Franciscus", which was used to refer to people from Francia, an area corresponding to modern-day France. The name Francis has been popular throughout history and has been used by several notable figures.
One of the most famous bearers of the name Frances was Saint Francis of Assisi, who lived in the 12th century. He was known for his devotion to poverty, humility, and charity, and is considered one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic Church. The name Frances has also been used by several monarchs throughout history, including King Francis I of France and Holy Roman Emperor Francis II.
Today, Frances remains a popular name for girls and boys alike. It is often associated with warmth, kindness, and strength of character, qualities that were embodied by many of the historical figures who bore this name. Whether you are considering naming your child Frances or simply have an interest in history and names, it is clear that this moniker has a rich heritage and meaning behind it.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Frances:
In the United States, the name Frances has seen varied popularity over the past century and a half. Between 1880 and 1899, the name was quite popular, with births ranging from 605 in 1880 to a peak of 2495 in 1900.
The early 20th century saw a steady decline in the popularity of Frances, with birth numbers dropping from 3780 in 1909 to 12786 in 1915. However, the name experienced a resurgence during World War I, reaching a record high of 16131 births in 1918.
The post-war period saw another decline in popularity, with birth numbers dropping below 10,000 by the late 1920s and early 1930s. This trend continued throughout much of the mid-20th century, with fewer than 500 babies named Frances born each year between 1967 and 2004.
However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the name Frances. Between 2005 and 2023, the number of births has fluctuated between 347 and 801, indicating that Frances is once again becoming a popular choice for parents in the United States.
Overall, since 1880, there have been a total of 593,894 babies named Frances born in the United States.