UK boy's name
Franke
A masculine French form of the name Francis, meaning "free".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Franke is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Franke popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2009 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Franke is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Franke. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Franke ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Franke.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Franke as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Franke mean?
The name Franke is of Germanic origin, derived from the ancient Frankish tribe that inhabited parts of modern-day France, Belgium, and the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. The Franks were a powerful confederation of Germanic tribes that played a significant role in shaping European history.
The name Franke is thought to have evolved from the Old Frankish word "franka," meaning "free" or "frank," referring to the independent and fearless nature of the Frankish people. This name was likely adopted by individuals who were either members of the Frankish tribe or associated with their culture and way of life.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Franke can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of medieval documents from the region of Saxony, dating back to the 9th century. This suggests that the name had already gained popularity among Germanic peoples during the Carolingian period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Franke. One of the most famous was Franke Borselen (1406-1470), a Dutch nobleman and military leader who played a crucial role in the Utrecht Rebellion against the Dukes of Burgundy in the 15th century.
Another prominent figure was Franke Janszoon (1608-1668), a Dutch explorer and whaler who is credited with being the first European to land on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. His expedition in 1638 led to the establishment of a Dutch settlement on the island.
In the realm of literature, Franke Manley (1860-1930) was an American author and journalist who wrote several popular novels and short stories in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including "The Heart of a Girl" and "The Eternal Magnet."
The name Franke also has a connection to the world of art through Franke Alfred Schmitz (1834-1909), a German painter and sculptor known for his realistic depictions of animals and landscapes. His works were widely exhibited throughout Europe during his lifetime.
Finally, Franke Wilmer (1887-1977) was a prominent American educator and administrator who served as the president of Oberlin College in Ohio from 1946 to 1959, overseeing a period of significant growth and development for the institution.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Franke throughout history, highlighting its deep roots in Germanic culture and its enduring presence across various fields and disciplines.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Franke by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Franke was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Franke
- Freddie 46,945
- Finley 42,410
- Frederick 19,866
- Finlay 17,879
- Frankie 17,528
- Finn 14,413
- Felix 14,361
- Fraser 6,470
- Flynn 6,170
- Frank 5,992
- Filip 5,876
- Francis 5,744
FAQ
Franke: questions and answers
How popular is the name Franke in the UK right now?
In 2009, Franke was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Franke most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Franke in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Franke?
A masculine French form of the name Francis, meaning "free".
How many people are called Franke in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Franke across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.