Francis
/ˈfræn.sɪs/noun
A male given name and surname, originally from Latin meaning “Frenchman” or “free man.”
Did you know?Francis ultimately comes from the Latinized name of the Franks, a Germanic people whose name is often linked to a word meaning “free,” which is why the name still feels noble and expansive.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*frankō
“the Franks, a Germanic people”
Late Latin
Latin
Franciscus
“Frankish; a Frank, or a Frenchman”
Old French
OF
Franceis / Francois
“Frankish; Frenchman”
Middle English
English
Fransis / Francis
“a personal name”
Modern English
English
Francis
“a given name or surname”