Francis Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Francis Name Meaning

Fact: Aside from Saint Francis of Assisi, the name is associated with other saints such as Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Francis Xavier, both influential figures in the Catholic Church known for their missionary work and writings.

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A Deep Dive

Francis Overview

Meaning

Frenchman, free man

Gender

Boy, Gender-neutral

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Late Latin name Franciscus, meaning “Frenchman” or “free man”.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈfrænsɪs/

Popularity

Francis is notably popular in Catholic countries like Italy and Spain. In the USA, it ranked 457th for boys in 2023​.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Wise, intuitive, imaginative, philosophical

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Francis is closely associated with Saint Francis of Assisi, a revered Catholic saint known for his humility and love of nature​.

Name Day

October 4 (Italy)
A Deep Dive

Francis Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Franciscus, Francisco, Francesco, Franz, Francois, Frans, Franco, Francine, Franchesca, Frank

Common Nicknames

Fran, Frank, Frankie, Franz, Franco, Franny

Diminutives

Frankie, Franny, Frannie

Famous People

  • Francis Bacon
    (English Philosopher)
  • Francis Scott Key
    (American Lawyer)
  • Francis Ford Coppola
    (American Film Director)
  • Francis Crick
    (British Scientist)
  • Francis Fukuyama
    (American Political Scientist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Francis Ha"
    (Film)
  • Francis Underwood
    ("House of Cards," TV Series)
  • Francis Dolarhyde
    ("Red Dragon," Film)
  • Francis
    ("Logan's Run," Film)

Places

  • Saint Francis City
    (Minnesota, USA)
  • Francis Town
    (Utah, USA)
  • Francis Creek
    (Wisconsin, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Francis?

Francis means “Frenchman” or “free man.” It conveys a sense of freedom and nobility.

What Is the Origin of The Name Francis?

The name Francis originates from the Latin name “Franciscus,” which means “Frenchman.”

Francis Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Francis in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#4672021#4612022#4572023
Top 3 Rankings#291915#301913#301917

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Francis

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023457
(+4 from 2022)
670
(+6 from 2022)
0.03659
2022461
(+6 from 2021)
664
(+29 from 2021)
0.03545
2021467
(+14 from 2020)
635
(+19 from 2020)
0.03389
2020481
(+2 from 2019)
616
(+11 from 2019)
0.03330
2019483
(-4 from 2018)
605
(-5 from 2018)
0.03148
2018479
(-21 from 2017)
610
(-50 from 2017)
0.03138
2017458
(+22 from 2016)
660
(+22 from 2016)
0.03335
2016480
(+1 from 2015)
638
(+16 from 2015)
0.03150
2015481
(-1 from 2014)
622
(+29 from 2014)
0.03042
2014480
(+25 from 2013)
593
(+56 from 2013)
0.02894
2013505
(+88 from 2012)
537
(+107 from 2012)
0.02657
2012593
(+24 from 2011)
430
(+43 from 2011)
0.02119
2011617
(+53 from 2010)
387
(+29 from 2010)
0.01905
2010670
(+6 from 2009)
358
(-1 from 2009)
0.01743
2009676
(-17 from 2008)
359
(-9 from 2008)
0.01693
2008659
(-43 from 2007)
368
(-34 from 2007)
0.01688
2007616
(-60 from 2006)
402
(-49 from 2006)
0.01815
2006556
(-30 from 2005)
451
(-12 from 2005)
0.02057
2005526
(-2 from 2004)
463
(+7 from 2004)
0.02176
2004524
(-6 from 2003)
456
(-9 from 2003)
0.02158
2003518
(-21 from 2002)
465
(+1 from 2002)
0.02213
2002497
(-53 from 2001)
464
(-82 from 2001)
0.02245
2001444
(-9 from 2000)
546
(-13 from 2000)
0.02640
2000435
(-5 from 1999)
559
(+17 from 1999)
0.02677
1999430
(-20 from 1998)
542
(-38 from 1998)
0.02658
1998410
(-25 from 1997)
580
(-48 from 1997)
0.02860
1997385
(-1 from 1996)
628
(+21 from 1996)
0.03143
1996384
(-32 from 1995)
607
(-90 from 1995)
0.03029
1995352
(-13 from 1994)
697
(-29 from 1994)
0.03465
1994339
(-4 from 1993)
726
(-26 from 1993)
0.03562
1993335
(-17 from 1992)
752
(-51 from 1992)
0.03641
1992318
(-5 from 1991)
803
(-21 from 1991)
0.03825
1991313
(-29 from 1990)
824
(-95 from 1990)
0.03887
1990284
(-16 from 1989)
919
(-1 from 1989)
0.04270
1989268
(-22 from 1988)
920
(-32 from 1988)
0.04389
1988246
(-2 from 1987)
952
(+3 from 1987)
0.04755
1987244
(+1 from 1986)
949
(+34 from 1986)
0.04866
1986245
No change from 1985
915
(-20 from 1985)
0.04761
1985245
(-2 from 1984)
935
(+33 from 1984)
0.04859
1984243
(-11 from 1983)
902
(-59 from 1983)
0.04806
1983232
(+6 from 1982)
961
(-21 from 1982)
0.05157
1982238
(-2 from 1981)
982
(+8 from 1981)
0.05204
1981236
(+7 from 1980)
974
(+52 from 1980)
0.05230
1980243
(-6 from 1979)
922
(-8 from 1979)
0.04971
1979237
(-12 from 1978)
930
(-10 from 1978)
0.05192
1978225
(+10 from 1977)
940
(+43 from 1977)
0.05502
1977235
(+5 from 1976)
897
(+62 from 1976)
0.05248
1976240
(-23 from 1975)
835
(-122 from 1975)
0.05115
1975217
(+16 from 1974)
957
(+69 from 1974)
0.05899
1974233
(-10 from 1973)
888
(-91 from 1973)
0.05447
1973223
(-1 from 1972)
979
(-10 from 1972)
0.06067
1972222
(-21 from 1971)
989
(-220 from 1971)
0.05908
1971201
(-9 from 1970)
1209
(-181 from 1970)
0.06651
1970192
(-3 from 1969)
1390
(-39 from 1969)
0.07297
1969189
(-14 from 1968)
1429
(-87 from 1968)
0.07812
1968175
(-6 from 1967)
1516
(-67 from 1967)
0.08539
1967169
(-5 from 1966)
1583
(-113 from 1966)
0.08896
1966164
No change from 1965
1696
(-119 from 1965)
0.09331
1965164
(-5 from 1964)
1815
(-252 from 1964)
0.09580
1964159
(-6 from 1963)
2067
(-107 from 1963)
0.10197
1963153
(-5 from 1962)
2174
(-119 from 1962)
0.10530
1962148
No change from 1961
2293
(-50 from 1961)
0.10910
1961148
(-3 from 1960)
2343
(-77 from 1960)
0.10862
1960145
(-9 from 1959)
2420
(-225 from 1959)
0.11176
1959136
(-1 from 1958)
2645
(+26 from 1958)
0.12209
1958135
(-7 from 1957)
2619
(-318 from 1957)
0.12154
1957128
(-17 from 1956)
2937
(-364 from 1956)
0.13418
1956111
(-11 from 1955)
3301
(-138 from 1955)
0.15380
1955100
(-6 from 1954)
3439
(-247 from 1954)
0.16452
195494
(-4 from 1953)
3686
(-189 from 1953)
0.17814
195390
(-1 from 1952)
3875
(-104 from 1952)
0.19354
195289
(-4 from 1951)
3979
(-221 from 1951)
0.20164
195185
(+1 from 1950)
4200
(+118 from 1950)
0.21970
195086
(-8 from 1949)
4082
(-200 from 1949)
0.22443
194978
(+2 from 1948)
4282
(+67 from 1948)
0.23762
194880
(+4 from 1947)
4215
(+8 from 1947)
0.23643
194784
(-4 from 1946)
4207
(+201 from 1946)
0.22648
194680
(-5 from 1945)
4006
(+556 from 1945)
0.24273
194575
(-4 from 1944)
3450
(-199 from 1944)
0.25156
194471
(-7 from 1943)
3649
(-419 from 1943)
0.26268
194364
(-6 from 1942)
4068
(-228 from 1942)
0.27966
194258
(+2 from 1941)
4296
(+558 from 1941)
0.30505
194160
(+1 from 1940)
3738
(+131 from 1940)
0.29788
194061
(-8 from 1939)
3607
(-114 from 1939)
0.30409
193953
(-2 from 1938)
3721
(-230 from 1938)
0.32833
193851
(+4 from 1937)
3951
(+221 from 1937)
0.34765
193755
(-5 from 1936)
3730
(-146 from 1936)
0.34106
193650
(+3 from 1935)
3876
(-18 from 1935)
0.36418
193553
(-4 from 1934)
3894
(-112 from 1934)
0.36406
193449
(-4 from 1933)
4006
(-87 from 1933)
0.37724
193345
(-2 from 1932)
4093
(-295 from 1932)
0.40120
193243
(-1 from 1931)
4388
(-347 from 1931)
0.40840
193142
No change from 1930
4735
(-255 from 1930)
0.44262
193042
(-3 from 1929)
4990
(-280 from 1929)
0.44178
192939
(+1 from 1928)
5270
(-245 from 1928)
0.47580
192840
(-4 from 1927)
5515
(-130 from 1927)
0.48328
192736
(-1 from 1926)
5645
(-144 from 1926)
0.48583
192635
No change from 1925
5789
(-189 from 1925)
0.50539
192535
(-1 from 1924)
5978
(-153 from 1924)
0.51919
192434
No change from 1923
6131
(+44 from 1923)
0.52445
192334
No change from 1922
6087
(-60 from 1922)
0.53759
192234
(+1 from 1921)
6147
(-146 from 1921)
0.54630
192135
(-1 from 1920)
6293
(+52 from 1920)
0.55302
192034
No change from 1919
6241
(+515 from 1919)
0.56696
191934
(-4 from 1918)
5726
(-621 from 1918)
0.56396
191830
No change from 1917
6347
(+546 from 1917)
0.60525
191730
(+1 from 1916)
5801
(+149 from 1916)
0.60471
191631
(-2 from 1915)
5652
(+58 from 1915)
0.61219
191529
(+2 from 1914)
5594
(+1693 from 1914)
0.63501
191431
(-1 from 1913)
3901
(+696 from 1913)
0.57089
191330
(+5 from 1912)
3205
(+689 from 1912)
0.59767
191235
(-2 from 1911)
2516
(+1205 from 1911)
0.55731
191133
(+3 from 1910)
1311
(+311 from 1910)
0.54309
191036
(-3 from 1909)
1000
(+114 from 1909)
0.47958
190933
(+1 from 1908)
886
(+33 from 1908)
0.50095
190834
(+3 from 1907)
853
(+136 from 1907)
0.51272
190737
(-2 from 1906)
717
(-20 from 1906)
0.45213
190635
(+1 from 1905)
737
(+52 from 1905)
0.51157
190536
No change from 1904
685
(-1 from 1904)
0.47824
190436
(-1 from 1903)
686
(+21 from 1903)
0.49530
190335
(+3 from 1902)
665
(+68 from 1902)
0.51422
190238
(-2 from 1901)
597
(+54 from 1901)
0.44972
190136
(+5 from 1900)
543
(-109 from 1900)
0.46976
190041
(-3 from 1899)
652
(+151 from 1899)
0.40216
189938
(+5 from 1898)
501
(-40 from 1898)
0.43492
189843
No change from 1897
541
(+45 from 1897)
0.40954
189743
(-4 from 1896)
496
(-55 from 1896)
0.40675
189639
(+6 from 1895)
551
(+71 from 1895)
0.42690
189545
(+5 from 1894)
480
(+57 from 1894)
0.37902
189450
(-2 from 1893)
423
(+5 from 1893)
0.33869
189348
(+2 from 1892)
418
(-11 from 1892)
0.34534
189250
(+4 from 1891)
429
(+96 from 1891)
0.32635
189154
No change from 1890
333
(-30 from 1890)
0.30476
189054
(+1 from 1889)
363
(+17 from 1889)
0.30326
188955
(+2 from 1888)
346
(-7 from 1888)
0.29068
188857
(-4 from 1887)
353
(+26 from 1887)
0.27173
188753
(+2 from 1886)
327
(-17 from 1886)
0.29915
188655
(+1 from 1885)
344
(+25 from 1885)
0.28898
188556
(+1 from 1884)
319
(-21 from 1884)
0.27513
188457
(+3 from 1883)
340
(+55 from 1883)
0.27701
188360
(-4 from 1882)
285
(-42 from 1882)
0.25339
188256
(+7 from 1881)
327
(+68 from 1881)
0.26796
188163
(-13 from 1880)
259
(-85 from 1880)
0.23920
188050
First SSA data recorded
344
First SSA data recorded
0.29054

American States Popularity Rankings for Francis

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2502021#2942022#3682023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3192021#3622022#2992023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1952021#1872022#1752023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#3762021#2832022#3632023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3442021#3722022#2932023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3832021#3462022#3742023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#5012021#4842022#5612023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3842021#3582022#3822023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2812021#4692022#2092023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2832021#3742022#3662023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3052021#3472022#3982023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3202021#5482022#3062023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2412021#2962022#2352023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4702021#3392022#3912023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#9772021#5082022#4882023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#10182021#8662022#9372023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#6472018#5522022#4652023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#5292021#3932022#4832023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#7352021#3792022#3522023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#6842021#8402022#5512023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1361997#2152016#2252022

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#5722021#5932022#6632023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2932019#3422020#3642022

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#7022021#5262022#5852023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1932021#2222022#1752023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6102021#4012022#5582023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2412020#2132021#2412023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3982021#4542022#5482023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#6222021#6962022#11162023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1041988#1291991#1342001

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2812010#3032013#2572018

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1662004#2012009#2202016

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1631994#1472020#2602023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#7402021#7222022#5832023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1672021#2522022#1552023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1891984#2211985#3592021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1201974#1591976#1631984

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#5252021#4902022#4062023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5911997#7232014#7212022

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#7562021#8512022#8602023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5692021#3492022#3082023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1471982#1631988#2212014

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5732021#6012022#6962023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4051983#3771986#2981987

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3811963#3441981#5752017

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2811985#3781992#3331997

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#6392014#5262020#7022022

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2061957#2101958#2021977

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1131959#1581960#1141966

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1781992#1591993#1311997

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#5482016#5202022#4592023

Popularity Rankings for Francis in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Latvia

Latvia flagLatvia#561930#851935#941940

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#602006#972007#602008

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#841959#901960#931961

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#921919

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1912022#1452023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1771981#1711982#1931983

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1962019#2162020#2152021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2112021#3522022#2002023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2392021#2512022#2542023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3162021#2432022#2782023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2952021#2852022#3832023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#4092021#3322022#4422023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3922014#3692015#3892016

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3892018#3842021#3702023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4792013#4452016#4002022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4642020#4482021#6712022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#7882014#9722016#8142017

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Francis a Name for Boys or Girls?

While predominantly masculine, Francis can be adapted for girls, especially in contemporary contexts.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Francis

Francis in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Francis Bacon (Philosopher, 1561-1626): An English philosopher and statesman who developed the scientific method.