Find out how popular the first name Frankel has been for the last 1 years (from 1992 to 1992) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Frankel by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Frankel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1992, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Frankel.

The history of the first name Frankel

Frankel is a masculine given name that has its origins in the Hebrew language and Jewish culture. The name is a diminutive or pet form of the name Frank, which itself is derived from the Germanic Frankish tribe that settled in parts of modern-day France and Germany during the Middle Ages.

The root word "frank" means "free" or "freeman" in the Frankish language, referring to the status of the tribe as free people not bound by serfdom or feudal obligations. The suffix "-el" is a common diminutive ending in Hebrew names, transforming the name to a more affectionate or diminutive form.

One of the earliest known references to the name Frankel can be found in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism compiled between the 3rd and 6th centuries CE. The name appears in discussions of Jewish law and traditions, suggesting its use among Jewish communities during this time period.

In the Middle Ages, the name Frankel was particularly prevalent among Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe. It was often used as a way to distinguish individuals who had roots or connections to the Frankish tribes or regions historically associated with the Franks.

Several notable historical figures have borne the name Frankel, including Zechariah Frankel (1801-1875), a prominent German rabbi and scholar who played a significant role in the development of the Conservative Judaism movement. Another notable bearer of the name was David Frankel (1779-1865), a Hungarian-born Orthodox rabbi and author known for his influential works on Jewish law and philosophy.

In the realm of literature, Frankel appears as the first name of the renowned German-Jewish poet and playwright Else Lasker-Schüler (1869-1945), whose full name at birth was Else Frankel. She is celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to German Expressionist poetry and her exploration of Jewish themes in her works.

Another notable Frankel was Jacob Frankel (1688-1733), a Polish-born rabbi and Talmudic scholar who served as the Chief Rabbi of Frankfurt am Main in Germany. He was highly regarded for his expertise in Jewish law and his teachings on the Talmud.

Lastly, Frankel was also the first name of the influential American jurist and legal scholar Marvin Frankel (1920-2002), who served as a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and was known for his contributions to criminal law and sentencing reform.

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 Frankel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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