Florian, of Latin origin, means "floral" or "flowering". It is derived from the Latin word 'flos', which translates to "flower". This name was once quite popular among early Christians due to its association with Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters and chimney sweeps. The name's peak popularity occurred during the Middle Ages in Germany and Austria. Today, Florian is still prevalent in German-speaking countries, as well as France, Belgium, Switzerland, and to a lesser extent, in English-speaking nations. It has also been known to appear as a surname due to its patronymic origins. Some notable individuals with this name include Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, the German film director, and Florian Schneider-Esleben, a co-founder of the German electronic music group Kraftwerk. The variants Florianus and Flavius are ancient Roman counterparts, while Florentin is French, and Flaviano is Italian. In English-speaking countries, Florian might be shortened to Flo or Floh.
"The name Florian experienced fluctuations in popularity between 1913 and 1935, with peaks of six or seven births per year during certain periods."