Franklin
How to say it: FRANK-lin · /ˈfræŋklɪn/
From Middle English 'frankeleyn' meaning a free landowner of non-noble birth; from 'frank' (free man).
Franklin was the 364th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 909 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1930s, its births are up about 32% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #326 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #364 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 909 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,647 |
| Peak decade | 1930s |
| Change over 10 years | +32% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #326 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once much more common in the 1930s, Franklin now rests far below that high. The near future should bring renewed growth.
What goes with it
A soft two syllable name with a strong feel, Franklin endures. Walter and Arthur share its style.
Middle names that flow with Franklin →
Parents who love Franklin also love
Nicknames
- Frank
- Frankie
- Lin
Honouring a Franklin in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Franklin is about 1 in 152.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, German, Spanish.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #288.
Famous people named Franklin
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945)President of the United States from 1933 to 1945
- Franklin Pierce (1804–1869)President of the United States from 1853 to 1857
- Franklin Chang-Díaz (born 1950)Costa Rican-American astronaut and physicist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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