The nameFlorence
Florence is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "flourishing". Made famous by Florence Nightingale, it is a top 5 name in England and Wales.
- Girl's name
- Latin
Meaning
Florence comes from the Latin Florentius, Florentia, from florens, "flourishing, in bloom".
Origin
Latin. The Italian city of Florence shares the same root.
History
Florence Nightingale, born in Florence in 1820, founder of modern nursing, made the name hugely popular in Victorian Britain. It returned strongly in the 2010s and reached the top 5 in England and Wales. Flo and Florrie are its short forms.
Did you know?
- Florence Nightingale was known as "the Lady with the Lamp" for her night rounds among wounded soldiers.
- In 1990 the French sailor Florence Arthaud became the first woman to win the Route du Rhum.
Famous people named Florence
- Florence Nightingale, nurse
- Florence Pugh, actress
- Florence Welch, singer
- Florence Griffith Joyner, sprinter
Popularity of the name Florence
Florence in the United States
Florence was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 88,628 births over the decade, 26% of all recorded babies named Florence. Half of all babies named Florence in the United States were born before 1920, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 508 births a year on average, against 257 in the five years before.
Florence in the United Kingdom
Florence was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 18,244 births over the decade, 51% of all recorded babies named Florence. Half of all babies named Florence in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,061 births a year.
Florence in Ireland
Florence in France
Florence in Belgium
Sibling names for Florence
Names from the same generation as Florence, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Florence? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Florence with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Florence side by side with the name of your choice.
Florence in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Florence mean?
Florence comes from the Latin Florentius, Florentia, from florens, "flourishing, in bloom".
What is the origin of the name Florence?
Latin. The Italian city of Florence shares the same root.
Is Florence a girl's or a boy's name?
Florence is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Florence?
In 2024, Florence was the 435th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 711 births.
What are good sibling names for Florence?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Sylvie, Mabel, Aurelia and Antonella for a sister, Otto, Teo, August and Musa for a brother.
Who are famous people named Florence?
Florence Nightingale, nurse; Florence Pugh, actress; Florence Welch, singer; Florence Griffith Joyner, sprinter.