Francesca is an Italian female given name derived from Old French 'Franceis', meaning "of France" or "French". It gained popularity during the Middle Ages as a feminine form of Francis, originally a male name introduced to Italy by the Franks. The name Francesca was notably used in the 13th-century Italian poem "Il Novellino", which contributed to its widespread usage in Italy. Today, Francesca remains a popular choice among parents in Italy and other parts of Europe, as well as in countries with significant Italian communities worldwide. Some notable individuals named Francesca include Francesca Woodman, an American photographer known for her evocative self-portraits, and Francesca Schiavone, an Italian tennis player who won the French Open in 2010. The name Francesca has also been used in various works of literature and art throughout history, such as Shakespeare's play "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" and the famous novel by Gabriel García Márquez, "Love in the Time of Cholera".
Francesca was quite popular among parents for a brief period around the late 70s to mid-90s, with noticeable spikes in usage between 1988 and 1993, but overall remained relatively uncommon throughout the entire timespan from 1978 to 1996.