The baby name Francis comes from the Late Latin franciscus – Frenchman.
Franciscus, in turn, can be traced back to a type of weapon – a throwing axe called a francisca and favored by the Franks, the Germanic tribe who settled the area back in the late Roman Empire.
Some argue that the axe is named after the tribe and the origins of the name are different. The meaning “free man” is also possible.
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
We remember the twelfth century Saint Francis of Assisi for many things. He founded the Franciscan religious order; we think of him as a friend to animals, and a patron saint of the environment and advocate for the poor.
He was born Giovanni, the son of a prosperous merchant. Possibly because he was born was his father was traveling on business in France, or possibly because of their love of all things France, Giovanni was given the nickname Francesco as a child.
It stuck.
After a series of setbacks as a young man, he turned his back on a life of privilege. Francis chose prayer – and poverty. He eventually founded a religious order that continues his work today.
The name spread throughout Europe in the following years.
A pair of parents in Navarre bestowed the name upon their son, the future Saint Francis Xavier, a key figure in the establishment of the Jesuit religious order.
At least half a dozen more saintly Francises appear over the next few centuries.
FAMOUS MEN NAMED FRANCIS
This short list doesn’t include the royal and aristocratic bearers of the name – a Holy Roman Emperor, two Kings of France and plenty of powerful princes and dukes, too.
Even so, famous men answering to the first name Francis include:
- Explorer Sir Francis Drake and
- English philosopher Francis Bacon
- American author Francis Scott Key, best known for penning the lyrics to “The Star Spangled Banner”
- The “F” in author F. Scott Fitzgerald’s name stands for Francis; he was a distant relative of Key
- Director Francis Ford Coppola
- Frank Sinatra was born Francis Albert. Just like many an Italian-American, Sinatra was named after his grandfather. More than a decade after his death, Ol’ Blue Eyes remains one of the best known singers of all time.
Not every Frank is a Francis, but if we include that version of the name, there’s architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Wizard of Oz creator L. Frank Baum, to name just two.
In March 2013, Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis. He served until his death in April 2025. Argentine by birth, he was the first Latin American pope, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first raised outside of Europe for well over a millennia.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME FRANCIS?
Let’s look at the popularity of Francis.
The baby name Francis was a Top 100 staple well into the 1950s. By the year 2012, following many years of decline, it ranked a chilly #593.
Frank proved even more popular. A Top Ten staple from the earliest days of tracking data, in 1880, Frank was among the most popular names well into 1920s, and only left the Top 100 in the late 1980s.
Given that plenty of men named Francis likely answered to Frank, too, the name was probably more popular than the rank suggests.
But something has shifted in recent years. As of 2023:
- Spanish-language Francisco ranks #295
- Surname Franklin comes in at #410
- Francis stands at #458
- Frank ranks #468
- Italian Franco is #779
A few other familiar forms, including Franz and Francesco, don’t make the current Top 1000.
Will Catholic families increase their use of the baby name Francis in the coming years?
Possibly. The twelfth century Italian Catholic friar has remained influential. Francis has increased in use during the late pope’s time in office, increasing over 100 spots from #593 in 2012.
But it’s also possible that Francis could rise in use without the influence of Christianity. Similar name preferences, like S-ending Atticus, Adonis, Brooks, and Rhodes, suggest that Francis might fit many popular choices now.
FRANCIS OR FRANCES?
Another factor: popular baby girl names also include choices derived from the Latin term franciscus:
- A favorite feminine name in our Isabella moment, Francesca ranks #374 as of 2023
- At #405, Frances isn’t too far behind
- Sparky nickname Frankie comes in at #538 for girls
Frances Cabrini became the first American to be canonized as a saint. She established schools, orphanages, and other social services for the poor in New York City and beyond during the late 1800s.
It’s worth noting that the masculine/feminine name divide between Francis and Frances was not firmly established until sometime around the 1600s, though it’s not a hard, bright line even then. You’ll find some females who spell their name Francis even now – 97 girls received this spelling in 2023 alone.
ENDURING CLASSIC
Francis fits with current favorites like Theodore, William, Sebastian, and Oliver. It’s classic and storied, a name that has stood the test of time.
If you’re after something with a hint of religious meaning and layers of history, too, Francis might be the perfect name for your son.
What do you think of the name Francis?
This post was originally published on June 4, 2009. It was revised and re-posted on March 18, 2013 and April 24, 2025.
I just can’t make myself like Francis/Frances. There is something in the sound I don’t like. I adore Francesca, though.
Isn’t today Friday?
Yes … I completely flubbed the calendar. Francis will be back in a few days …
I’ve only met one Francis, last year, and he was in his early forties. Since he was unable to speak, I made a point of asking his wife, “Does he go by Francis or Frank?” Apparently he was Francis only. Francis is okay, for me he’s just a touch too soft sounding for a boy.
I’m just immature, I’m sure, but all I can think of is the portly, obnoxious man-child named Francis in Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure:
Pee Wee: “I’m here to see Francis!”
Bodyguard: “Francis is busy.”
Pee Wee: “Busy doing what?”
Bodyguard: “He’s having his bath.”
Pee Wee: “Oh really??? WHERE ARE THEY HOSING HIM DOWN????”
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU_78ORxVUo&hl=en&fs=1&]
Again, respectable, but not a name I’d use.
I actually prefer Frances over Francis, as the name does skew feminine to me… Which is odd since I know a Frank who is Francis that has a son who is also Francis (and that is what he is called). In fact, thinking back, I can now think of at least 4 Franks I know in the area I grew up in (just outside NYC), all middle-aged and up, though I’m not sure who is Francis and who may be other Frank appellations.
I admit, though, that I’m really not a fan of Frank or Frankie at all, which is a shame because I do love Franklin. I think it has more to do with personal associations than anything else.
I actually know a little Francis, baby brother to Augustine. Augustine goes by Gus, but Francis is always Francis.
IMHO, it works nicely on either a boy or a girl – but I suppose I am influenced by the cute little Francis I know!
I just realised that if my memory serves me correctly, I have never actually met a Francis! Frances, yes, but Francis, no. This is curious since the name is far from being unfamiliar. I think I actually prefer Francis to Frances, although both are agreeable.
Incidentally, I’ve seen St. Francis Xavier’s body — it’s on display in a cathedral in Goa, India. Does that count as meeting a Francis?
Francis is pretty cool – I can definitely respect his appeal. He’s not for me, as he sounds oddly feminine, as I’ve known a few Frances’ but no Francis’ throughout my life. I have a great uncle Francois? That’s the closest association I can get.
Anyway, he’s clean and streamlined and rather snazzy indeed 🙂
Francisco is my favorite version of this international classic. My cousin Francisco named his son Franco so he wouldn’t be a Jr; In my mind it is similar to men named Ron who named their little boys Aaron a few decades back. Good suggestion, Lola!
bah – should say “its classic nature” = overzealous pinky finger use while typing.
Francis is a fine name and I recognize and respect it’s classic nature. The sound of Francis doesn’t bother me either (although it always feels a little feminine because growing up our neighbor across the street was Frances, so she’s always what I picture when I hear either Frances or Francis, which I say exactly the same). But Frank, and especially Frankie, grate on me. There’s no rational explanation – the best I can do is to cite the nasal sound as unappealing, but that’s not the whole enchilada… I just can’t put my finger on what else it is. My pappy was a Frank and my uncle is a Frankie and while I feel a little badly about disliking the name because of that, I can’t help it! Still, that’s a very personal reaction, and I certainly wouldn’t think “ugh” if I met a baby boy Frankie, it’s just 100% not for me.