Francesco
Francesco is a boy's name of Italian origin.
Meaning
Free man or Frenchman.
Origin and history
Francesco is a classic Italian male name derived from the Late Latin name Franciscus, meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free man'. It has a long historical legacy in Italy, famously associated with Saint Francis of Assisi. In the United States, it remains a steadily used classic name among families seeking a traditional Italian alternative to Francis.
Popularity in the United States
8,446 babies in the United States have been named Francesco since 1880. It ranks #1317 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1163.
States where it is most popular
- NY (42 %)
- NJ (13.4 %)
- CA (9.1 %)
- IL (8.3 %)
- FL (6.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 24 |
| 1910-1920 | 286 |
| 1920-1930 | 202 |
| 1930-1940 | 106 |
| 1940-1950 | 66 |
| 1950-1960 | 282 |
| 1960-1970 | 503 |
| 1970-1980 | 998 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,064 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,337 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,478 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,256 |
| 2020-2029 | 844 |
Famous people named Francesco
- Francesco Totti: Footballer, Athlete
- Francesco Clemente: Artist, Painter
- Francesco Petrarca: Poet, Scholar
Nicknames
Frankie, Frank, Cesco
Fun facts
- Saint Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, was nicknamed Francesco by his father because of his business ties to France.
- The name was borne by prominent Renaissance figures, including Italian painter Francesco Hayez and sculptor Francesco Laurana.