Gender: Masculine
Origin: German
(FRAHNTZ)

The name could either be a German form of Francis or it may come directly from the Old High German word for “free.”

The name was borne by two Holy Roman Emperors and by Franz Joseph I of Austria.

Other notable bearers include Franz Kafka and Franz Liszt.

The name was very popular in Germany all the way up till the middle of the 20th-century, but fell out of usage, being considered rather dated, it has recently caught on again and is currently the 141st most popular male name in Germany, (2011).