Francesco Boy
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
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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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
NY | 39 | |
FL | 13 | |
PA | 12 | |
CA | 12 | |
MA | 10 | |
CT | 8 | |
TX | 6 | |
VA | 6 | |
IL | 6 | |
MD | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1906 | 6 |
1907 | 5 |
1908 | 13 |
1910 | 10 |
1911 | 9 |
1912 | 28 |
1913 | 36 |
1914 | 36 |
1915 | 36 |
1916 | 28 |
1917 | 39 |
1918 | 30 |
1919 | 34 |
1920 | 23 |
1921 | 30 |
1922 | 26 |
1923 | 22 |
1924 | 19 |
1925 | 15 |
1926 | 23 |
1927 | 12 |
1928 | 15 |
1929 | 17 |
1930 | 20 |
1931 | 16 |
1932 | 10 |
1933 | 6 |
1934 | 11 |
1935 | 9 |
1936 | 10 |
1937 | 8 |
1938 | 7 |
1939 | 9 |
1942 | 6 |
1943 | 5 |
1946 | 6 |
1947 | 15 |
1948 | 15 |
1949 | 19 |
1950 | 18 |
1951 | 13 |
1952 | 26 |
1953 | 35 |
1954 | 31 |
1955 | 31 |
1956 | 33 |
1957 | 39 |
1958 | 36 |
1959 | 20 |
1960 | 28 |
1961 | 33 |
1962 | 38 |
1963 | 43 |
1964 | 52 |
1965 | 53 |
1966 | 48 |
1967 | 62 |
1968 | 70 |
1969 | 75 |
1970 | 88 |
1971 | 80 |
1972 | 78 |
1973 | 102 |
1974 | 105 |
1975 | 119 |
1976 | 112 |
1977 | 102 |
1978 | 106 |
1979 | 105 |
1980 | 131 |
1981 | 108 |
1982 | 92 |
1983 | 91 |
1984 | 96 |
1985 | 108 |
1986 | 108 |
1987 | 113 |
1988 | 106 |
1989 | 111 |
1990 | 151 |
1991 | 140 |
1992 | 114 |
1993 | 136 |
1994 | 124 |
1995 | 139 |
1996 | 131 |
1997 | 118 |
1998 | 139 |
1999 | 145 |
2000 | 148 |
2001 | 139 |
2002 | 148 |
2003 | 142 |
2004 | 143 |
2005 | 161 |
2006 | 166 |
2007 | 153 |
2008 | 127 |
2009 | 151 |
2010 | 117 |
2011 | 138 |
2012 | 119 |
2013 | 121 |
2014 | 144 |
2015 | 131 |
2016 | 137 |
2017 | 120 |
2018 | 122 |
2019 | 107 |
2020 | 134 |
2021 | 130 |
2022 | 128 |
2023 | 147 |
2024 | 160 |