Which sausage name used for hot dogs derives from Frankfurt, Germany?

The sausage name derived from Frankfurt, Germany, is Frankfurter.

The word refers to the Frankfurter Würstchen, a sausage associated with Frankfurt am Main. The name entered English usage as “frankfurter” and became one of the standard terms for the sausage used in American hot dogs. “Frank” is a common shortened form.

Frankfurter is often confused with wiener, but the names point to different German-speaking cities. “Wiener” refers to Vienna, Austria, and traditionally describes a sausage made from a mixture of pork and beef. Frankfurt’s traditional sausage is associated with pork and has a separate historical identity.

The terminology becomes less precise in modern food culture. In the United States, “frankfurter,” “wiener,” and “hot dog” are frequently used interchangeably, even though they can refer either to the sausage alone or to the sausage served in a bun. Regional recipes and manufacturing practices also blur the traditional distinctions.