Find out how popular the first name Franka has been for the last 30 years (from 1979 to 2008) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Franka by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Franka is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2008, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Franka.

The history of the first name Franka

The given name Franka is of Germanic origin, derived from the ancient Frankish tribe that inhabited parts of modern-day France, Germany, and the Low Countries during the early Middle Ages. The name is believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word "franko," meaning "free" or "free man."

In ancient times, the Franks were a powerful confederation of Germanic tribes that played a significant role in shaping the history of Western Europe. The name Franka was likely used by members of this tribe to signify their free status and independent spirit.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Franka can be found in the Frankish chronicles and annals dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries AD. These historical records often mention Frankish rulers, nobles, and warriors bearing the name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Franka. One of the most famous was Franka of Bohemia (c. 1116-1186), a Bohemian princess and the first wife of Konrad III, Duke of Merania. Another noteworthy figure was Franka of Rosenberg (c. 1362-1416), a Bohemian noblewoman and the wife of Jindřich of Rosenberg.

In the Renaissance period, Franka Battiferri (1497-1559) was an Italian poet and writer from Urbino, renowned for her contributions to the literary circles of her time. Another celebrated figure was Franka Schmischke (1857-1926), a German writer and educator who published several works on pedagogy and children's literature.

During the 20th century, Franka Potente (born 1974) gained international recognition as a German actress, known for her roles in films such as "Run Lola Run" and "The Bourne Identity." Additionally, Franka Brendel (born 1984) is a contemporary German actress and model who has appeared in various television shows and films.

While the name Franka has its roots in the ancient Frankish culture, it has transcended its historical origins and continues to be used as a given name in various parts of the world, particularly in German-speaking regions and areas with Germanic cultural influences.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Franka was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Franka, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!