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Home › Baby Names Directory › Frances

Frances

♂ Boy

Pronounced FRAN-sis /ˈfræn.sɪs/High

Meaning: Usually the feminine spelling of Francis — from the Latin Franciscus, 'a Frenchman; free', hence 'a free one'; here recorded for a boy; we note the spellingLow

In 30 seconds: A Frenchman; free: Frances is a form of Francis. Crisp, classic, and warm. More often a girls' spelling — here a boy.
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Origin LowLatin
MeaningUsually the feminine spelling of Francis — from the Latin Franciscus, 'a Frenchman; free', hence 'a free one'; here recorded for a boy; we note the spelling
U.S. rank (2025)#11112 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1928
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,023

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192818802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Frances is usually the feminine spelling of Francis — from the Latin Franciscus, 'a Frenchman; free', hence 'a free one' (we note the spelling). Here it is recorded for a boy — which we flag honestly (slug distinguished; said 'FRAN-sis').

In the U.S. Frances is chiefly a girls' spelling (Francis is the usual boys' spelling); this boys' use is unusual. Rare for a boy, a-free-one at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Francis comes from the Latin Franciscus, 'a Frenchman; free' — Frances is usually the girls' spelling; here it appears for a boy, which we note (said 'FRAN-sis').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Francis — spelling; chiefly female

Variations

FrancisFranciscusFrank

Nicknames

Frank

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If you like Frances…

Francis— the usual boys' spelling
Francisco— a fuller kin form
Franco— a sound-neighbor Fran- boys' name
Frank— a short kin form

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Frances mean?

Frances is a form of Francis — Latin 'a Frenchman; free'. It is usually the girls' spelling; here it is recorded for a boy.

How do you pronounce Frances?

It's said FRAN-sis /ˈfræn.sɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Frances a boy or girl name?

Frances is usually a girls' spelling (Francis is the boys' spelling); this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Frances?

Frances is a rare boys' spelling in the U.S.

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