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Frances

Girl name · 1,065 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Frances: 1,065 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 72 births in 1974.

Frances is the feminine form of Francis, ultimately derived from the Latin Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman" or "free one." The name gained popularity across the English-speaking world partly through Saint Frances of Rome, a 14th-century mystic, and later through literary figures such as Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of *The Secret Garden*. In modern times, actress Frances McDormand has brought the name to fresh prominence. Geographically, the name shares its root with the country of France, while places like Frances, South Australia, take their name from a bearer. A friendly variant is the Scottish nickname "Fran," though "Frankie" has become a fashionable unisex alternative. Despite its Latin origin, Frances feels