Francis Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Francis originates from the Latin 'Franciscus', meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free man'. It has evolved through various languages, including Old French and Italian. The name is often associated with traits of kindness and humility, partly due to the influence of Saint Francis of Assisi. It has no direct biblical relevance but gained popularity during the Middle Ages and continues to be widely used today.
The name Francis is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Francis has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Francis' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 35th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 51st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 110th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 204th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 282nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 526th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 469th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 267th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 355th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 653rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 977th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1149th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2250th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2351st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Francis' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Francis"
Pronunciation
/ˈfræn.sɪs/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Francis comes from the Latin name 'Franciscus', which means 'Frenchman' or 'free man'. It was originally used as a nickname for someone from France or a person of Frankish descent.
Meaning
Frenchman, free man
Language Evolution
Franciscus (Latin), Francis (Old French), Francesco (Italian), Francois (French)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly due to Saint Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan order in the early 13th century. His life and work inspired many, leading to the name's widespread use in Christian communities.
Variants & Derivatives
Francesco, Francois, Franciska, Frances
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Francis is viewed positively, often associated with notions of kindness, humility, and social justice, largely influenced by Pope Francis, who took the name in 2013.
Famous People
Saint Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, Francis Ford Coppola, Francis Bacon
Explore More Francis Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Francis"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Francis"
"Francis" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 35th of 7545 | 95,732 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 51st of 6773 | 74,980 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 110th of 7552 | 62,772 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 204th of 10718 | 18,976 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 282nd of 16616 | 13,819 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 526th of 24088 | 7,458 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 469th of 23106 | 7,552 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 267th of 9107 | 10,729 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 355th of 9204 | 6,423 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 653rd of 12526 | 4,051 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 977th of 19264 | 2,070 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1149th of 27321 | 2,304 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2250th of 35406 | 1,280 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2351st of 30306 | 933 |
Regional Popularity of "Francis" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
2.33% 33rd/1416 |
1.60% 22nd/1379 |
3.63% 86th/2366 |
3.77% 43rd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
4.01% 62nd/1546 |
1.48% 23rd/1556 |
4.80% 113th/2353 |
6.85% 106th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
6.06% 135th/2227 |
1.89% 46th/2430 |
6.55% 187th/2853 |
6.67% 185th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
8.68% 255th/2937 |
2.38% 83rd/3483 |
9.10% 320th/3518 |
7.86% 318th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
9.25% 341st/3685 |
2.59% 116th/4475 |
8.26% 429th/5194 |
6.13% 387th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
12.70% 582nd/4582 |
4.69% 242nd/5164 |
10.43% 763rd/7313 |
8.71% 650th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
9.71% 387th/3984 |
6.26% 281st/4487 |
10.35% 706th/6822 |
8.91% 559th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Francis" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
22.46% 318th/1416 |
25.02% 345th/1379 |
7.90% 187th/2366 |
28.28% 323rd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
34.35% 531st/1546 |
35.48% 552nd/1556 |
11.30% 266th/2353 |
33.81% 523rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
49.44% 1101st/2227 |
42.30% 1028th/2430 |
15.56% 444th/2853 |
32.76% 909th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
55.50% 1630th/2937 |
31.93% 1112th/3483 |
22.60% 795th/3518 |
26.68% 1079th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
49.50% 1824th/3685 |
23.46% 1050th/4475 |
21.29% 1106th/5194 |
16.02% 1012th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
70.60% 3235th/4582 |
53.47% 2761st/5164 |
26.79% 1959th/7313 |
24.91% 1859th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
78.26% 3118th/3984 |
87.74% 3937th/4487 |
34.90% 2381st/6822 |
34.58% 2170th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Francis"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Francis" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.