What do you think of Francis for a boy?

[MogTheForgetfulCat]

DH suggested it last night, think it could be a runner. Not madly keen on Frank as a nn, though - maybe Frankie? Or not? Fran is a bit girly, maybe...

Can't quite imagine it as a baby name, but imagine he would grow into it as a boy.

Other possibles are Jonah (but have an Isaac already, so poss a bit much), Laurence (Laurie), Alexander and Hal (poss to be called Henry but known as Hal).

[Bue]

I like it. I also like all the nicknames. Fran makes me think of the lead singer from Travis.

[jammietart]

I like it. Its DD's middle name. We also liked Laurie for a boy.

[Dramamama]

I love it mog, i have a friend who has a Frankie and he's a lovely little boy and Fran is very cool too as bue says it reminds me of the lead singer of Travis there are lot's of little judes etc.. running about these days Fran could be the new Jude.

[expectingno3]

It is my DH's favourite name for a boy, and I do love it too, but one part of me thinks it is just a little too feminine. I know lots of boys given Francis as a middle name, but none seem to have taken the plunge and used it as a first name. Does make me think they have the same idea!

[MogTheForgetfulCat]

Ooh, hadn't thought of Fran thingummy from Travis.

Know what you mean, expectingno3 (me too, btw!) - it's partly because I also think it's a lovely name for a girl that I'm not yet certain it's The One. But have another 12 weeks or so to mull it over, and am encourgaed by positive comments on here, so maybe I will do it. Certainly think it's a lovely name for an older boy or man, but can't quite envisage it on a baby. Hmmmm. Some thinking to do...

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

Love it.

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

Love it. Is DS's middle name and we are now it is out of contention for future DS2.

[frakkinup]

Francis is lovely. Really lovely.

I like Laurence as well.

[violethill]

Francis is lovely - it doesn't need to be abbreviated.

Alexander - also lovely.

Laurence - ok

Jonah - no, negative connotations

Hal - eurgh

[DrNortherner]

I don't like Francis, it's a bit wet I think.

[yellowflowers]

I love it especially shorted to Frank

[MonkeySee]

I love it.

[Batteryhuman]

Francis to me is very Catholic and often Irish but then i come from an Irish RC background

[llandb]

Nice name but could never use it because it's the name of a friend (and my GF was Frank)

That's the trouble with good names; they've already been nicked by some other blighter :o

[MuddledMum]

My DS1 is also Isaac and so I clearly think you have fantastic taste in names already!

We also thought of Jonah for DS2 but like you I worried it might sound slightly like we should be wearing gingham and sitting in a horse and cart. I also lost count of the number of people who mentioned the bad luck association to me (although frankly I'd never heard of it before). I think Francis/Fran is fab. Really, really fab and makes me think of Francis Ford Copolla or Sir Francis Drake (basically boy Francis not girl Francis) Not so keen on Henry, we considered that too but it just didn't sem to have the softness that I loved about the name Isaac. Met a 9 year old called Laurence for the first time yesterday (Laurie). I would never have considered it before but on him it really was very cool.

[anonymosity]

I love Francis, but I agree with batteryhuman it means Catholic and likely Irish to me too for the same reasons.

[EightiesChick]

I also love Francis - there is a strong suggestion of Irish Catholic but not in every case. However it partly helps to shorten to Frank - which I also love - and you've said you're not keen on this. Fran I prefer for a girl really. Love Frances for a girl, possibly even more. It was my fave middle name if DS had been a DD.

Laurence is also great.

[MuffinMouse]

Love all your choices except Francis. Fran is too feminine and Frank is a bit meh. I'm not a fan of unisex names - especially for boys, sorry. But you've got some great alternatives IMO.

[pointydog]

Not too keen.

I prefer Frances for a girl.

[dinosaurkisses]

DP is a 22 year old Francis- it's a family name. It's a classic name that everyone will be able to spell and pronounce, there's lots of nickname possibilities (my Francis gets Fran, Franky and er- Frangina) plus it is just AN ACE NAME.

[NadiaWadia]

Dull and a bit poncey - sorry.

[Edmundo]

I liike Francis and like Frank as the nickname too.