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Name Lineage

    The first name Fran

    A boy’s name.

    Pronounced /fɹæn/ 1 syllable Male

    Meaning and origin

    Shortening.

    Fran is a short form of

    .

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Fran last appeared in the official list in 2008, given to 4 boys. It peaked in 2006, with 7 births (#2,282).

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    20
    babies named Fran, 1996–2025
    #3,687
    rank in 2008
    2006
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Fran with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Fran at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 6 boys born in the United States were named Fran, the 11,111th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1960, when 280 were.

    0150300 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    5,339
    babies named Fran since 1880
    #11,111
    rank in 2025
    1960
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Fran

    22 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Fran Drescher
      American actress, born 1957
    • Fran Kirby
      English association football player (born 1993)
    • Fran Kranz
      American actor, born 1981
    • Fran Karačić
      Australian/Croatian association football player, born 1996
    • Fran Tudor
      Association football player, born 1995
    • Fran Lhotka
      Czech composer (1883-1962)
    • Fran Bennett
      American actress, 1937–2021
    • Fran Allison
      American television and radio comedian, personality and singer (1907-1989)
    • Fran Warren
      American singer (1926-2013)
    • Fran Huck
      Canadian ice hockey player, born 1945
    • Fran Brodić
      Croatian footballer, born 1997
    • Fran Ryan
      Actress (1916-2000)

    Questions

    What does the name Fran mean?
    Shortening.
    How popular is the name Fran?
    In 2008, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Fran, ranking 3,687th. Its peak was 2006, with 7 births.
    Is Fran a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 5,339 US babies named Fran since 1880, 93% were girls and 7% boys.
    When was Fran most popular?
    1960 in the United States, when 280 babies were named Fran, its highest rank at 593rd.
    How do you pronounce Fran?
    Fran is /fɹæn/, one syllable.