Frankel is a name of German origin, derived from the Germanic word "franco," which means "free" or "noble." It was originally a surname given to people who were considered free or noble. The name Frankel can also be considered a variant of the German name Franz, which is itself a derivative of the Latin name Franciscus, meaning "French" or "free."
The first recorded use of the name Frankel as a given name appears to be in the 19th century, although it may have been used earlier. It was likely brought to other countries by German immigrants and has since become more widely used around the world.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Frankel. One of the most famous is the American psychologist B. F. Skinner, whose full name was Burrhus Frederic Skinner. He was born in 1904 and became known for his work on operant conditioning and behaviorism.
Another notable figure is the German-American composer Paul Hindemith, who was born as Paul Hindemith-Frankel in 1895. His mother's maiden name was Frankel, which he incorporated into his own name as a middle name.
Today, Frankel is still used as both a surname and a given name, particularly in countries with significant German influence such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany itself. It is considered to be a strong, masculine name that carries with it a sense of nobility and freedom. Despite its historical roots, however, the name Frankel remains modern and relevant today, continuing to be chosen by parents for their children around the world.
"Frankel is a unique name, with an intriguing statistical history in the United States. According to the available data, there were only 6 babies named Frankel born each year in 1992. This figure represents the total number of newborns given this distinctive moniker annually during that time period."