diff --git a/pandas/core/indexes/base.py b/pandas/core/indexes/base.py
index d3a8f11a38715..b96bb22199fa1 100644
--- a/pandas/core/indexes/base.py
+++ b/pandas/core/indexes/base.py
@@ -1122,7 +1122,26 @@ def to_frame(self, index=True):
 
         Returns
         -------
-        DataFrame : a DataFrame containing the original Index data.
+        DataFrame
+            DataFrame containing the original Index data.
+
+        Examples
+        --------
+        >>> idx = pd.Index(['Ant', 'Bear', 'Cow'], name='animal')
+        >>> idx.to_frame()
+            animal
+        animal       
+        Ant       Ant
+        Bear     Bear
+        Cow       Cow
+
+        By default, the original Index is reused. To enforce a new Index:
+
+        >>> idx.to_frame(index=False)
+            animal
+        0   Ant
+        1  Bear
+        2   Cow
         """
 
         from pandas import DataFrame