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Baby names

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

Original poster

Francis

33 replies

salharg · 26/06/2022 12:25

Following on from the grandfather thread, this name has caught my eye.
general consensus? Also had a male Frank in the family so could be a nice nn.

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daisypond · 27/06/2022 07:51

It’s fine. I quite like Frank too.
I am baffled why anyone who thinks Francis is a girl’s name. Why? Surely everyone will have heard of St Francis at least. He was male. The girl’s name is different: Frances. It’s the same difference as Francesco and Francesca.

DramaAlpaca · 27/06/2022 02:05

I love Francis. Unfortunately, I detest Fran/Frank/Frankie so it is strictly middle name territory only for me. Ditto Patrick and Joseph.

powershowerforanhour · 27/06/2022 01:44

I like it. I was at vet college with someone who had chosen Francis as his Confirmation name because of St Francis of Assisi which I thought was lovely and it suited him, he was a kind person.

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/06/2022 00:28

Francis nn Frank is great

Can’t do much better than Francis of Assisi as name inspiration..

Original poster
salharg · 26/06/2022 19:09

Thank you.
Not as keen on Franklin it feels a completely different name to Frank so I would go for either just Frank or Francis.
thank you for the suggestion though

OP posts:
sixtiesbaby88 · 26/06/2022 19:04

It's a great name.I have taught a Franklin known as Frank. I like Frankie for a girl too

midsomermurderess · 26/06/2022 18:32

Francis/Frank. I like it

potatoes4all · 26/06/2022 18:32

I love it; it's a common name in our family - on my mum's line all first-born boys were Francis but generally went by nicknames and one of my sisters is called Frances.

WoahWhatAFeeling · 26/06/2022 18:31

Not keen on Francis but do love Frank/Frankie.

@AllPlayedOut is there a rule against that?

Staynow · 26/06/2022 18:30

I've only ever known female Francis so to me it's a girls name and I think it sounds awful for a bloke, might as well call him Claire to me. Frank is so old man, I'd go Frankie personally.

ofwarren · 26/06/2022 18:27

Horrible wet sounding name.
I hate everything about it, including the nicknames.

KirstenBlest · 26/06/2022 18:27

I like it and Frances as middle names but not keen on Frank, Fran or Frankie.

SummaLuvin · 26/06/2022 18:22

Frank has come up a few times here recently - I adore it, it's on my list - but I think it is a bit marmite with many people feeling it is 'horrid'. However, it is perfectly normal and nothing wrong with it, I wouldn't let other peoples preferences guide you as there isn't a single name that would e meet with universal support. I'm not a huge fan of Francis, but it's fine, and I can see the appeal.

Theoldwoman · 26/06/2022 14:47

I love it.

Yika · 26/06/2022 14:36

Really like both Francis and Frank. Very classic names.

DontLikeCoffee · 26/06/2022 14:34

Really dislike it. Such a drab name.

Marymary987 · 26/06/2022 14:24

Francis and Frank are both pretty awful sorry. There’s much nicer names out there.

Sexnotgender · 26/06/2022 14:23

I’ve got a Francis, love it.

AllPlayedOut · 26/06/2022 14:18

You can @ me all you like now. I've turned it off. I forgot that you could do that on the app.

supertedious · 26/06/2022 14:08

Lovely names Smile

Hello @AllPlayedOut

user1212121212 · 26/06/2022 13:14

I adored Francis and Frank. They're lovely names

Purplecatshopaholic · 26/06/2022 13:02

To answer the actual question, I personally don’t like Francis, or indeed Frances, or any associated diminutives/nick names. Do like Frank/Frankie though. I know a wee Frankie (she’s 3) and it really suits her

AllPlayedOut · 26/06/2022 12:45

People can @ anyone they like AllPlayedOut

Well yes they can @Mamette but generally it's preferable to avoid doing so unless necessary/requested. Highlighting the person's name is enough to get their attention.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/06/2022 12:45

I love it! I wanted it for DS's name but so many people were against it (for stupid reasons including "but that's a girls' name") that I gave in and used it as a middle name instead. I sort of wish I'd stuck to my guns tbh.

EinsteinaGogo · 26/06/2022 12:45

I don't think there's a rule in MN that says you're not allowed to @ people, @AllPlayedOut.