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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Frank

62 replies

ScorpioMamax2 · 05/02/2026 15:03

I really love Frank but how
popular is it?
Is it a hard name to pull off?

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ZenNudist · 23/02/2026 18:45

I think Francis nn Frank or Frankie.

NamingNoNames · 23/02/2026 18:44

I associate the name with Frank Gardner and Frank Lampard.

SirChenjins · 23/02/2026 18:29

NamingNoNames · 23/02/2026 18:02

@SirChenjins , but it was about 50 years ago.

Yes - and I referred to that in my earlier post. FS was such a popular character though that for many people of a certain age and upwards it's always going to remind us of that bumbling, stupid man.

franksmama · 23/02/2026 18:28

RaraRachael · 23/02/2026 18:13

I don't think anybody having a baby now would even know who Frank Spencer was.

When I read the stupid bumbling man comment I didn't realise that's who it meant

I do Grin didn’t put me off, though!

RaraRachael · 23/02/2026 18:13

I don't think anybody having a baby now would even know who Frank Spencer was.

When I read the stupid bumbling man comment I didn't realise that's who it meant

NamingNoNames · 23/02/2026 18:02

@SirChenjins , but it was about 50 years ago.

SirChenjins · 23/02/2026 17:59

RedToothBrush · 23/02/2026 17:26

You know you you were being horrible about the name right?

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Frank Spencer was a bumbling, stupid man - that was literally the whole premise of the character.

FeliciaFancybottom · 23/02/2026 17:58

RedToothBrush · 23/02/2026 17:26

You know you you were being horrible about the name right?

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It's a horrible name imo.

NamingNoNames · 23/02/2026 17:41

FeliciaFancybottom · 05/02/2026 15:07

Being perfectly honest, maybe even a little blunt, I think it's awful. Forever associated with a bumbling, rather stupid man.

If you mean Frank Spencer, it was a 1970s TV series. For once, I don't think the association would mean anything to those born in 2026.

RedToothBrush · 23/02/2026 17:26

FeliciaFancybottom · 23/02/2026 16:55

You know I wasn't talking about your grandfather, right?

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You know you you were being horrible about the name right?

FeliciaFancybottom · 23/02/2026 16:55

RedToothBrush · 22/02/2026 23:05

My grandfather was Frank. He was never bumbling nor stupid.

It's a cool name. Likely to become even more popular before it peaks imo.

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You know I wasn't talking about your grandfather, right?

Latenightreader · 23/02/2026 00:33

Like a PP I'd go for Francis or Franklin on the birth cert and shorten it as a nickname. My grandad was Frank short for Francis and I have a Frances as a result.

Snugglemonkey · 23/02/2026 00:21

I love Frank!

RaraRachael · 22/02/2026 23:26

MarthaBeach · 22/02/2026 22:57

Frank is short for Francis.

My dad was just Frank, not short for Francis. His dad was the same.

RedToothBrush · 22/02/2026 23:05

FeliciaFancybottom · 05/02/2026 15:07

Being perfectly honest, maybe even a little blunt, I think it's awful. Forever associated with a bumbling, rather stupid man.

My grandfather was Frank. He was never bumbling nor stupid.

It's a cool name. Likely to become even more popular before it peaks imo.

Arlanymor · 22/02/2026 23:01

Frank as a name or short for Francis? Makes me think of Far From the Madding. Crowd. He wasn't all bad. But yes, a nice name overall.

MarthaBeach · 22/02/2026 22:57

Frank is short for Francis.

MarioLemieux · 22/02/2026 22:53

Frank. Frankfurter. Prank. Just no.
Reminds me of a bald-headed man with those round, owl-like glasses.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 22/02/2026 22:38

I taught a Frank (uni age) last year, and previously taught a guy whose name was Jack Frank Surname - both lovely lads and the names suited them well. I now teach a very nice Frankie who is a young woman. I don’t know if her proper name is Frances or Francesca, all her documentation is Frankie so it’s possibly a complete name.

franksmama · 22/02/2026 22:34

NC obviously Wink

I have a 14mo Frank! Everybody calls him Frankie for now, though. We chose Frank as his ‘proper’ name but felt like he needed to grow into it a little Smile it was my Grandad’s name (not from birth, but it’s the name he chose for himself when he came to the UK in his 20s as his Polish birth name was very difficult to pronounce) so it’s very special to me.

He always gets compliments on his name, and we’ve yet to meet another baby Frank! We have met plenty of canine Franks, though, if that might put you off?

RaraRachael · 13/02/2026 08:57

Love it as it was my late dad's name.
Due for a revival. In 40 years of teaching I never taught a Frank.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 13/02/2026 08:55

I’ve only ever known a handful. One would be in his early 100s, mornings 60s and a couple in their teens. I really like it.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 13/02/2026 08:52

My grandad was Frank (Francis). It’s a nice name.

MonsteraDeliciosa · 13/02/2026 08:52

Francis or Franklin, lovely, but can't imagine a little Frank!
Not saying I don't like it, just sounds a bit "older" to be. My grandad and his best friend were both Frank!

Pettenell · 13/02/2026 00:43

I love it!