Frank is a masculine given name. While Frank has been a European name in its own right, the given name in the English-speaking United States arose in the 20th century as a short form of the traditional common English variant Francis (which itself is a shortening of Franciscus, i.e. "the Frenchman", in reference to Saint Francis of Assisi). It was popularized particularly by Frank Sinatra (born Francis Albert Sinatra, 1915–1998). The continental variant of Frank dates back to the Carolingian period in France and Germany (the early medieval Frankish Empire where originally Old Frankish was spoken by the elite). The Old High German form Francho, Franko is on record from the 8th century. Hence also the English adjective frank (Middle English, from Old French franc, 12th century). People with the given name In arts Also see Frank in fictional characters Frank Frazetta (1928–2010), American fantasy and science fiction artist Frank Lynn Jenkins (1870–1927), British sculptor Frank Marshall (photographer) (born 1985), South African photographer Frank Miles (1852–1891), British artist Frank O'Hara (1926-1966), American writer, poet, and art critic Frank Stella (born 1936), American painter and printmaker Frank Thomas (animator) (1912–2004), one of Walt Disney's team of animators known as the Nine Old Men In architecture Frank Furness (1839-1912), American architect Frank Gehry (born 1929) Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) In comics Frank Bellamy (1917–1976), British comics artist Frank Brunner (born 1949), American comics artist Frank Cirocco (born 1956), American comics artist Frank Giacoia (1924–1988), American comics artist Frank Le Gall (born 1959), French comics author Frank Madsen (born 1962), Danish comics artist Frank Margerin (born 1952), French comics author Frank Miller (born 1957), American comics author Frank Pé (born 1956), Belgian comics author Frank Springer (1929–2009), American comics artist Frank Thomas (comics) (1914–1968), American cartoonist; creator of The Eye Frank Tieri, American comics writer In film and television Frank Borzage (1894–1962), American film director and actor Frank Caliendo (born 1974), American comedy actor, impressionist and comedian, host of the television show Frank TV Frank Capra (1897–1991), American film director Frank Delfino (1911-1997), American actor Frank Elstner (born 1942), German television presenter Franky G (born 1965), American film and television actor Frank Gorshin (1933–2005), American actor and comedian from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Frank Marshall (producer) (born 1946) American film producer Frank Morgan (1890-1949), American character actor Frank Muller (1951–2008), Dutch audio book narrator and actor Frank Oz (born 1944), American actor and puppeteer Frank