Fran

Fran is a given name or nickname used for both women and men in English-speaking countries. As a feminine form, it is usually short for Frances or Francine, while as a masculine nickname it can derive from Francis. In some cases, Fran is also used as a standalone name, and in other languages it appears as a diminutive for related forms such as Francisco or Francesco.

The name traces back to the Latin Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman" or "from France," and entered Western naming traditions via the saintly and royal names Francis and Frances.

Notable people named Fran include Fran Drescher (born 1957), American actress and comedian known for The Nanny; Fran Lebowitz (born 1950), American essayist and public speaker; Fran Tarkenton (born 1940), Hall of Fame quarterback; and Fran Allison (1907–1989), performer on Kukla, Fran and Ollie.

In fiction, Fran Fine is the lead character in the television series The Nanny.

Variants include Frannie and Franny as diminutives; the name’s popularity has fluctuated over the 20th century in the United States, with peak usage mid-century and continued use in other English-speaking regions.