The name Fran is of Latin origin and means "free" or "frank". It is derived from the Latin word "francus", which means "free" or "French". The name has a long history, dating back to ancient Roman times when it was used as a nickname for people who were considered free or independent-minded.
In medieval Europe, the name Fran was also associated with the Frankish people, who were a group of Germanic tribes that settled in Gaul (modern-day France) during the Migration Period. The Franks eventually became one of the most powerful kingdoms in Europe, and their name is still remembered today through words like "France" and "French".
Over time, the name Fran has been used as both a given name and a surname. It has also appeared in various forms throughout history, such as Francis, Franklin, Francesca, and Françoise.
Today, Fran is still a popular name around the world, although it may be more commonly associated with certain cultures or regions depending on where it is used. Despite its widespread usage, however, the name Fran retains its historic significance and continues to evoke images of freedom, independence, and strength.
The name Fran has been a part of the United States' population since at least 1912, with six births recorded that year. However, it was not until the late 1930s and early 1940s that the name began to gain popularity, with a significant increase in births from 1937 onwards.
In the decade from 1937 to 1946, there were over 1,200 births registered for the name Fran. The peak year was 1946, with 165 births, which was more than double the number of births in any other year during this period.
The popularity of the name Fran continued throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, with over 2,000 births recorded between 1951 and 1963. The highest number of births during this time was in 1959, with 270.
However, from the mid-1960s onwards, there was a steady decline in the popularity of the name Fran. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, fewer than 30 births were registered each year for the name Fran. This trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Fran, with five births recorded in 2015. Overall, since records began in 1912, there have been a total of 4,965 births registered for the name Fran in the United States.