Explore Our Collection of Books and Stories About Florence

The name Florence is a Latin baby name, derived from the word florens, meaning “prosperous, flourishing”. The name became popular from the fame of Saint Florence, a 7th century Italian Christian martyr, with whom many stories and legends are associated. Florence as a name was also popularized by the city of Florence in Italy, renowned as a center of medieval European trade and finance, and as the birthplace of the Renaissance.

The name Florence has been in use since the Middle Ages, and has been popular for girls in many countries around the world. In England, the name was introduced by the Normans and remained popular throughout the medieval and early modern periods. In America, the name was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and has recently seen a revival in popularity.

Famous bearers of the name Florence include Florence Nightingale, the pioneering British nurse who established modern nursing practices; Florence Griffith-Joyner, the American track and field athlete known as “Flo Jo”; and Florence Welch, the lead singer of the English indie rock band Florence + The Machine.

The name Florence is popular in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also commonly used in Italy and other European countries.

If you're drawn to the vintage charm of the name Florence, you might also like these other classic names that have a similar feel:

• Beatrice
• Edith
• Matilda
• Agatha
• Clara
• Rosalind
• Harriet
• Lillian
• Theodora
• Josephine