Lafrance
Primarily a girl's name of French origin with 60 recorded births. Also given to 29 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Lafrance is a girl's and boy's baby name of French origin, from la France — literally meaning 'France' or 'the French one.' As a given name it reflects the tradition of using place names or nationality names to honor heritage, common in Francophone communities in Louisiana, Quebec, and beyond.
Unusual and quietly proud, Lafrance is the kind of name that carries a whole culture in four syllables.
EtymologyShow more
Though Lafrance dates back to 1918 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The French classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 60 recorded births, Lafrance has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lafrance has 9+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1918.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 14 | #7215 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 25 | #5234 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 6 | #5150 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | #5719 | — |
| 1930s | 5 | #4667 | — |
| 1910s | 5 | #5219 | — |
The Story of Lafrance
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1965, Lafrance is a Gen X staple. Girls named Lafrance are most likely born between 1955 and 1971.
How rare is Lafrance?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Lafrance is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1918, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1960s with 25 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Lafrance by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(9 years, 1918–1971)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 9 | #5771 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8659 |
| 1969 | 7 | #6285 |
| 1966 | 8 | #5068 |
| 1965 | 10 | #4350 |
| 1951 | 6 | #5150 |
| 1947 | 5 | #5719 |
| 1938 | 5 | #4667 |
| 1918 | 5 | #5219 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Lafrance as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Lafrance has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 29 births since 1949.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafrance a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lafrance most popular?
How popular is the name Lafrance?
Can Lafrance be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1918–1971