Francis is a name of Latin origin, derived from the word "franciscus," which means "free" or "French." The name was initially given to individuals who were born in France or had French heritage.
The name Francis first gained popularity through Saint Francis of Assisi, an Italian Catholic friar and preacher who lived during the 13th century. Born into a wealthy family, Francis abandoned his worldly possessions and dedicated his life to living in poverty and serving God. He became known for his love towards animals and nature, as well as his peaceful approach to conflict resolution.
The name Francis was further popularized by several notable figures throughout history, including Saint Francis Xavier, a Spanish Basque priest who was instrumental in the spread of Christianity in Asia during the 16th century; King Francis I of France; and Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who is the current head of the Roman Catholic Church.
In many cultures, Francis has become synonymous with kindness, humility, and compassion due to the legacy left behind by Saint Francis of Assisi. Today, Francis remains a popular name for boys worldwide, often chosen by parents inspired by its historic significance and positive associations.
The name Francis experienced a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years, with noticeable peaks around the early 1900s (peaking at 673 births in 1919) and declines throughout the late 1900s to early 2000s (bottoming out at 45 births in 2010). Since then, it has shown some resurgence, with 97 births recorded in 2023. Overall, Francis has been a relatively uncommon name throughout most of the recorded period, with annual birth numbers ranging from 45 to 673.