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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Frances/Francesca

33 replies

wildpoppy · 26/02/2015 10:33

Which is nicest - would nickname Frannie anyway probably.

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NanaNina · 02/03/2015 00:06

My second name is Frances and I hate it. I like Francesca shortened to Frankie, but I think a nn of Frannie could be a problem. I'm old so maybe it's just me but it could be confused with Fanny which used to be a slang term for the vagina. Not sure if it still is.

jazzyjenbo · 28/02/2015 10:48

Of the 2 i prefer Francesca.

Not keen on Frannie as a NN though as can predict the teenage name calling potential.

Just going to add Francine into the mix, i have a friend with this name who has it shortened to Fran.

gingerfluffball · 28/02/2015 10:26

Not a fan of Frances, bit boring and unfeminine. Francesca is beautiful.

juneau · 27/02/2015 09:19

I love both. They were on my short list if we had a girl (but we didn't!)

mynameisfrances · 27/02/2015 09:13

Francesca. I'm a Frances and have never liked it, find it unfeminine and often misspelt the boy way 'Francis'. I have never shortened it, but agree with pp who said frannie is too close to fanny, which I have been called! Frankie and Fran are nice.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 27/02/2015 09:02

I love both names - but not Frannie for a nn! Way too close to Fanny for me.

I would use either Fran or Frankie as a short version.

Messygirl · 27/02/2015 08:58

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marshmallowpies · 27/02/2015 08:47

We had Francesca down as a name for DD2 but DH decided it was too long. We have used Frances as a MN instead. I think it's a lovely name, simple & classic.

Different4thispost · 26/02/2015 19:46

Frances every time.

I'm a Francesca and it is becoming a chav name.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 26/02/2015 19:40

Everyone voting against Frances is a dickhead because it's my name and I'm bloody amazing I am (and relatively young)

I do quite like Francesca too but the only ones I know are bona fide Italian - Brits should be Frances. And I have never had it shortened, if that matters

Messygirl · 26/02/2015 19:14

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MrsBungle · 26/02/2015 19:13

Frances is dowdy to me. Francesca is quite nice.

Koalafications · 26/02/2015 19:11

Love them both, beautiful names.

PontypineNumber9 · 26/02/2015 17:28

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orangepudding · 26/02/2015 14:15

I feel Frances is dull yet Francesca is beautiful.

NadiaWadia · 26/02/2015 14:09

I love Francesca.

It may be irrational, but Frances just seems a bit of a colourless name to me. I always imagine a mousy haired librarian with glasses! It also maybe comes over a bit unisex as well (a negative IMO) , as it is pronounced identically to the male version, Francis. She may get this spelling as well from the ignorant.

Apologies to any Franceses! It is certainly classic, that's true.

NKDAR22 · 26/02/2015 13:27

Both are lovely, but Frances is used less and sounds classic. I love this name, but my DH put his thumbs down :(

shipsinthenight · 26/02/2015 13:23

Francesca on BC, can shorten to Frances.

CamilleBordey · 26/02/2015 12:44

Francesca definitely. Can always shorten to Frances as same letters. Francesca is beautiful and timeless. Frances reminds me of an elderly vicar's wife! Smile

TywysogesGymraeg · 26/02/2015 12:37

Frances, unless you're Italian. In which case Francesca.

pilates · 26/02/2015 12:30

Francesca

TheNewStatesman · 26/02/2015 12:16

I like Frances. Lovely, pretty, classic name. Francesca is OK but just a bit too much.

Theresomethingaboutdairy · 26/02/2015 12:15

Much prefer Francesca

Lunastarfish · 26/02/2015 12:14

To me Frances is an old lady whereas Francesca is a glamorous lady

GRW · 26/02/2015 12:12

Really like Frances but don't like Francesca at all.

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