US Popularity Rank: 823

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Frenchman, Frank; free man

A name found in dozens of languages, Francis is a gender-neutral title from the Late Latin Franciscus, meaning “Frenchman, Frank” and “freeman.” Francisco, Franz, Xisco, and Francesca are just a few examples of well-known names that stem from this Latinate title. Francis owes its popularity to Saint Francis of Assisi, an Italian Catholic friar, mystic, and deacon of the late 12th and early 13th centuries. By the 16th century, Francis had taken Britain by storm as the name to call baby. This age-old name has stood the test of time and remains a beloved title today, its gender-neutral stance appealing to the modern era. Baby Francis will undoubtedly wear this name with pride, finding the freedom to express themselves as they wish.