The nameFranklin
Franklin is a boy's name of English origin meaning "free landholder". It honours Benjamin Franklin and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Boy's name
- English
Meaning
Franklin comes from the Middle English frankelin, "free landowner", a man who was not a noble but owned his land.
Origin
English. Franklin was a surname before becoming a first name.
History
Franklin was given in honour of Benjamin Franklin, then of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reached the American top 40.
Did you know?
- Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only President of the United States elected four times.
Famous people named Franklin
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States
- Franklin Pierce, President of the United States
- Franklin, the turtle of children's books
Popularity of the name Franklin
Franklin in the United States
Franklin was most popular in the United States in the 1930s, with 26,518 births over the decade, 19% of all recorded babies named Franklin. Its rise began around 1913, and it peaked in 1933. Half of all babies named Franklin in the United States were born before 1950, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 793 births a year.
Franklin in the United Kingdom
Franklin was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,305 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Franklin. Half of all babies named Franklin 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 153 births a year.
Franklin in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Franklin
Names from the same generation as Franklin, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Franklin? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Franklin with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Franklin side by side with the name of your choice.
Franklin in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Franklin mean?
Franklin comes from the Middle English frankelin, "free landowner", a man who was not a noble but owned his land.
What is the origin of the name Franklin?
English. Franklin was a surname before becoming a first name.
Is Franklin a girl's or a boy's name?
Franklin is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Franklin?
In 2024, Franklin was the 388th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 840 births.
What are the variants of the name Franklin?
Variants and related names of Franklin include François.
What are good sibling names for Franklin?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Joy, Annie, Sylvia and Helena for a sister, Kieran, Lewis, Noel and Walter for a brother.
Who are famous people named Franklin?
Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States; Franklin Pierce, President of the United States; Franklin, the turtle of children's books.