Franciscus first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Franciscus has been for the last 1 years (from 1993 to 1993) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Franciscus

A masculine name of Latin origin meaning "a Frenchman" or "a free man".

Popularity of Franciscus by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Franciscus is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1993, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Franciscus.

Year Male Count Female Count
1993 5 0

The history of the first name Franciscus

The given name Franciscus has its origins in the Latin language and the ancient Roman culture. It is derived from the Latin word "Francus", which means "free" or "frank". The name was initially associated with the Frankish people, a group of Germanic tribes that settled in the region of modern-day France during the 5th century AD.

One of the earliest and most notable historical references to the name Franciscus can be found in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), the founder of the Franciscan religious order. The name was bestowed upon him by his father, Pietro Bernardone, who was a wealthy cloth merchant. Saint Francis is renowned for his commitment to poverty, humility, and his love for nature.

Another prominent figure with the name Franciscus was Francis Xavier (1506-1552), a Navarrese Catholic missionary who was one of the co-founders of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He traveled extensively in Asia, spreading Christianity in regions such as India, Japan, and Borneo. Francis Xavier is venerated as the patron saint of Catholic missions.

The name Franciscus also has a connection to the House of Habsburg, a former ruling dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire. Francis I (1708-1765) was the Duke of Lorraine who later became the Holy Roman Emperor and the Grand Duke of Tuscany. He played a significant role in the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War.

In the arts, the name Franciscus is associated with the Italian painter and architect Francesco Borromini (1599-1667), who was renowned for his innovative and dynamic Baroque style. His architectural works, such as the San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in Rome, showcased his distinctive and intricate designs.

Another notable figure was Francis Bacon (1561-1626), an English philosopher, scientist, and statesman who was a leading figure in the scientific revolution. He is widely regarded as the father of the modern scientific method and is credited with establishing the foundations of modern empiricism.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the name Franciscus, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and enduring significance across various fields and eras.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Franciscus was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Franciscus, please contact us.

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"Franciscus first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/franciscus-meaning-and-history/.

"Franciscus first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/franciscus-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 16 July, 2025

Franciscus first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/franciscus-meaning-and-history/.

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