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Francesco Boy

Popularity: #764 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationfran-CHEH-sko / /franˈtʃɛsko/

Italian; Latin

Meaning

Italian: Frenchman; Latin: free man

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Francesco is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man." The name is historically linked to the Latin word "Francus," referring to the Franks, a group of Germanic tribes that settled in what is now France. The name entered the English language through the Italian form, particularly during the Renaissance when Italian culture and language began to influence other parts of Europe. The earliest recorded use of the name in its Latin form can be traced back to the 12th century, but it gained prominence in the 13th century due to the influence of Saint Francis of Assisi, who was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181 but was given the name Francesco, meaning "the Frenchman," as a nod to his father's trading connections with France.

Saint Francis, who founded the Franciscan Order in the early 13th century, became a significant figure in Christianity, known for his commitment to poverty, humility, and love for nature. His life and teachings were widely disseminated, particularly through the writings of his followers and the Order's expansion across Europe. The name Francesco thus became associated with these virtues and the ideals of simplicity and devotion, contributing to its enduring significance in Christian culture. The name also appears in various forms across different languages, such as Francisco in Spanish and François in French, reflecting its widespread cultural resonance.

In addition to its religious connotations, the name Francesco has been borne by numerous notable historical figures, including Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch), a key figure in the Italian Renaissance, and Francesco Vivaldi, the renowned Baroque composer. These associations further solidified the name's place in cultural history, linking it to artistic and intellectual achievements. The name continues to evoke a sense of heritage and tradition, embodying the values associated with its most famous bearer, Saint Francis.

Trend Summary

Francesco has seen a steady popularity in the United States, particularly among Italian-American families.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Francesco
  • Franco

International Variants

  • Frances (English)
  • Francois (French)
  • Francesco (Italian)
  • Francesca (Italian)

Famous people named Francesco

Francesco Totti is a former professional footballer best known for his time at AS Roma, winning multiple Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia.

Francesco Hayez is a painter best known for his work The Kiss and contributions to the Romanticism movement.

Francesco Guccini is a singer-songwriter best known for his influential music and poetry in Italian folk and popular music.

Francesco Renga is a singer and songwriter best known for his albums such as 'Ferro e Cartone' and 'Orchestra.'.

Francesco Vettori is a poet and writer best known for his contributions to the Italian Renaissance literature.

Francesco De Gregori is a singer-songwriter best known for his poetic lyrics and songs like 'Generale' and 'La Donna Cannone.'.

Francesco Cirillo is a software developer best known for creating the Pomodoro Technique for time management.

Francesco Pannofino is an actor and voice actor best known for his roles in Italian cinema and television, including 'Boris.'.

Francesco Sforza is a historical figure best known as the Duke of Milan and a key player in Italian Renaissance politics and military affairs.

Francesco Carotta is a researcher best known for his controversial theories regarding the origins of the historical Jesus.

Fictional characters named Francesco

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Francesco was first seen in the United States in 1906. Francesco has ranked as high as #1217 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in New York, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Francesco has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Francesco (2024)

StateBirthsShare
NY 39
33%
FL 13
11%
PA 12
10%
CA 12
10%
MA 10
9%
CT 8
7%
TX 6
5%
VA 6
5%
IL 6
5%
MD 5
4%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19066
19075
190813
191010
19119
191228
191336
191436
191536
191628
191739
191830
191934
192023
192130
192226
192322
192419
192515
192623
192712
192815
192917
193020
193116
193210
19336
193411
19359
193610
19378
19387
19399
19426
19435
19466
194715
194815
194919
195018
195113
195226
195335
195431
195531
195633
195739
195836
195920
196028
196133
196238
196343
196452
196553
196648
196762
196870
196975
197088
197180
197278
1973102
1974105
1975119
1976112
1977102
1978106
1979105
1980131
1981108
198292
198391
198496
1985108
1986108
1987113
1988106
1989111
1990151
1991140
1992114
1993136
1994124
1995139
1996131
1997118
1998139
1999145
2000148
2001139
2002148
2003142
2004143
2005161
2006166
2007153
2008127
2009151
2010117
2011138
2012119
2013121
2014144
2015131
2016137
2017120
2018122
2019107
2020134
2021130
2022128
2023147
2024160