How to say it
FLOR · ence
ˈflɔːr.əns
Feminine
Florence
Flourishing, prosperous
What it means
Latin, from florens, 'flowering' or 'flourishing.'
Florence comes from the Latin florens, 'flourishing,' the same root as 'flora' and 'flourish.' Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, was named for the Italian city of her birth and made the name a byword for care. It faded mid-century and is now well into a vintage revival, helped by Florence + the Machine and actress Florence Pugh. Flo, Florrie, and Flossie are the shorts.
How to spell Florence
The standard spelling is Florence. Common variants include Florencia, Firenze, Florentia, but Florence is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #6 in 1890, currently #391 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Flo, Florrie, and Flossie all fall out of it.
- Pop culture
Florence Nightingale, the city of Florence, and Florence + the Machine.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Florence Nightingale founder of modern nursing
- Florence Pugh English actress
Spelling variants
- Florencia
- Firenze
- Florentia
Names with the same feeling
See Florence from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Florence mean?
- Latin, from florens, 'flowering' or 'flourishing.'
- What does Florence mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Florence means "Flourishing, prosperous." Florence comes from the Latin florens, 'flourishing,' the same root as 'flora' and 'flourish.' Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, was named for the Italian city of her birth and made the name a byword for care. It faded mid-century and is now well into a vintage revival, helped by Florence + the Machine and actress Florence Pugh. Flo, Florrie, and Flossie are the shorts.
- How do you pronounce Florence?
- Florence is pronounced ˈflɔːr.əns. Say it as FLOR-ence, with the stress on the "flor" syllable.
- How do you spell Florence?
- The standard spelling is Florence. Common spelling variants include Florencia, Firenze, Florentia.
- Is Florence a boy or girl name?
- Florence is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Florence?
- Florence ranked #391 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.