Francena is a unique and elegant feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name 'Francesco', which means "free" or "exalted". The name Francena typically follows the pattern of other female variants such as Francisca, Frances, and Francesca. It was uncommon even during the height of its usage in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, appearing primarily in Catholic communities where it may have been used to honor St. Francis or his followers. Today, Francena is considered quite rare, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a distinctive yet classic name for their daughter. The name's pronunciation closely resembles that of Frances, with the stress on the second syllable: FRAHN-see-nah.
The name Francena experienced fluctuating popularity from 1912 to 1976, with peaks in the mid-1940s and late 1940s. The highest number of births in a single year was 23 in 1948. However, towards the end of this period, its usage became quite infrequent, with fewer than 8 births per year from 1960 onwards. Overall, there were 623 babies named Francena born during these years.