Frankie

Frankie meaning

Frankie is an international unisex name of Latin origin (English pet form), used for both girls and boys.

Pet form of Frances or Francis: Latin Franciscus, 'Frankish, French'

Also used to mean: free one, from France

Frankie is an informal short form of Frances for girls and of Francis or Frank for boys. Frances and Francis come from the Medieval Latin Franciscus, "Frankish" or "French". The best-known early bearer was Saint Francis of Assisi, who was baptised Giovanni but became known as Francesco. The tribal name of the Franks also gave English the word frank, once meaning free, which is why name lists give Frankie as "free one". Frankie is now used as a full name for both girls and boys, with a cheerful, informal feel.

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary, s.v. Frances; Francis · entry Frances · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Frances / Francis · Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Francis

Famous namesakes

• Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans

Popularity abroad

• #552 United States, girls 2025 (up 38 from 590 in 2024)
  US Social Security Administration
• #56 England and Wales, boys 2025
  Office for National Statistics

Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.

Spellings

Frankie · Franky · Frankee

Related names

Also starting with Fra-

More names of Latin origin

Browse more like this