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Francis Unisex

Popularity: #407 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationFRAN-sis / /ˈfrænsɪs/

Latin; French

Meaning

Latin: free man; French: from France

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Francis has its roots in the Latin name "Franciscus," which means "Frenchman" or "free man." This name was derived from the Old French term "Franceis," which referred to someone from France. The name gained prominence in the early medieval period, particularly through the influence of Saint Francis of Assisi, who lived in the 13th century and founded the Franciscan Order. His life and teachings emphasized humility, poverty, and a deep connection to nature, which resonated widely in Christian thought and contributed to the name's enduring legacy.

The historical significance of the name Francis is further underscored by its association with various notable figures throughout history. In addition to Saint Francis, it has been borne by several popes, including Pope Francis, who took the name in 2013 in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. The name also appears in various literary and cultural contexts, such as in the works of Shakespeare and in the naming of numerous institutions and places, reflecting its broad cultural resonance.

Symbolically, the name Francis is often associated with ideals of peace, compassion, and social justice, largely due to the influence of its most famous bearer. The name's connection to the Franciscan Order has also imbued it with a sense of community service and dedication to the welfare of others. In some cultures, diminutive forms such as "Frank" or "Franco" have emerged, further illustrating the name's adaptability and continued relevance across different languages and regions.

Trend Summary

Francis has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a resurgence in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Frances
  • Frank

International Variants

  • Francesco (Italian)
  • François (French)
  • Francisco (Spanish)
  • Franz (German)

Famous people named Francis

Francis Ford Coppola is a filmmaker best known for The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation.

Francis Bacon is a philosopher and statesman best known for Novum Organum, The Advancement of Learning, and his works on the scientific method.

Francis Crick is a molecular biologist best known for co-discovering the structure of DNA with James Watson.

Francis Scott Fitzgerald is an author best known for The Great Gatsby, Tender Is the Night, and This Side of Paradise.

Francis Chan is a pastor and author best known for Crazy Love, Forgotten God, and Erasing Hell.

Francis Collins is a physician and geneticist best known for leading the Human Genome Project and serving as the director of the National Institutes of Health.

Francis Lawrence is a director best known for I Am Legend, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.

Francis Poulenc is a composer best known for his works in classical music including Dialogues des Carmélites and Les Biches.

Francis Ngannou is a mixed martial artist best known for being the UFC Heavyweight Champion and his knockout power.

Fictional characters named Francis

Francis is a fictional character from the animated television series Bob's Burgers. He is a recurring character who is a friend of the Belcher family and often provides comic relief.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Francis was first seen in the United States in 1880. Francis has ranked as high as #68 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey. In the past 5 years the name Francis has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Francis (2024)

StateBirthsShare
PA 54
9%
NY 53
9%
CA 45
8%
OH 40
7%
MI 35
6%
MA 29
5%
MN 29
5%
IL 27
5%
TX 26
4%
FL 26
4%
VA 22
4%
WI 17
3%
WA 16
3%
GA 15
3%
MO 14
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880344
1881259
1882327
1883285
1884340
1885319
1886344
1887327
1888353
1889346
1890363
1891333
1892429
1893418
1894423
1895480
1896551
1897496
1898541
1899501
1900652
1901543
1902597
1903665
1904686
1905685
1906737
1907717
1908853
1909886
19101,000
19111,311
19122,516
19133,205
19143,901
19155,594
19165,652
19175,801
19186,347
19195,726
19206,241
19216,293
19226,147
19236,087
19246,131
19255,978
19265,789
19275,644
19285,516
19295,270
19304,990
19314,735
19324,388
19334,093
19344,006
19353,894
19363,876
19373,730
19383,951
19393,721
19403,607
19413,738
19424,297
19434,068
19443,651
19453,449
19464,006
19474,207
19484,215
19494,282
19504,082
19514,200
19523,979
19533,875
19543,686
19553,439
19563,301
19572,936
19582,619
19592,648
19602,419
19612,344
19622,293
19632,174
19642,067
19651,815
19661,696
19671,583
19681,516
19691,429
19701,390
19711,209
1972989
1973979
1974888
1975957
1976836
1977897
1978940
1979930
1980922
1981974
1982981
1983961
1984902
1985935
1986915
1987949
1988952
1989921
1990919
1991824
1992803
1993753
1994726
1995697
1996607
1997628
1998580
1999542
2000559
2001546
2002464
2003465
2004456
2005463
2006451
2007402
2008368
2009359
2010358
2011387
2012430
2013538
2014593
2015622
2016638
2017661
2018610
2019605
2020616
2021637
2022664
2023675
2024693