Francis is a name of Latin origin, derived from the word "franciscus," which means "free" or "French." It was originally used as an adjective to describe someone who was free-born, as opposed to a slave. The name Francis gained popularity during the Middle Ages through the influence of St. Francis of Assisi, an Italian friar and preacher who lived in the 13th century. He is known for his teachings on peace, poverty, and simplicity, and his love for nature and animals. Due to his saintly status and widespread veneration, many people chose to name their children after him. Today, Francis remains a popular given name for boys in various cultures around the world.
"Francis has seen fluctuating popularity over time. While it peaked around the turn of the century with over 5,000 births per year between 1900 and 1912, it declined sharply thereafter, reaching a low point of fewer than 400 births in 1967. Since then, its popularity has stabilized, hovering around 600 to 900 births annually until the early 2000s when it began to rise again, reaching over 650 births per year in recent years."