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Baby names

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

Original poster

Francis

54 replies

MamaKatey12 · 06/08/2025 11:50

Please either help me to make my mind up or change my mind.

I love Francis DH is half on board with the nn Frank but thinks Francis is quite wet and the nn Fran very wet

please help I have 3 weeks to go and no other names

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SpikeGilesSandwich · 23/08/2025 11:30

Francis is nice but I’m not keen on Frank, there seem to be a lot of little Frankies about at the moment and I’m not a fan. Fran is quite nice for a nickname though, classic.

WearyLady · 23/08/2025 11:15

I love the name Francis. Less keen on Frank. I’ve known boys called ‘Frannie’ when at school (which happened to be Catholic). No-one thought that was strange or funny.

NarnianQueen · 23/08/2025 09:38

I like Frankie for a little boy, but imagine being a 20 year old Frank!

MaggieBsBoat · 23/08/2025 09:11

deedeemeloy · 22/08/2025 10:30

My mums friend ( a woman ) is called Francis. I’ve never known a man called Francis. I think it’s a really sappy, wet sounding name for a woman or a man.

Most women have the spelling Frances, so your mum‘s friend will be an outlier I imagine in having the male spelling.

deedeemeloy · 22/08/2025 10:30

My mums friend ( a woman ) is called Francis. I’ve never known a man called Francis. I think it’s a really sappy, wet sounding name for a woman or a man.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 22/08/2025 10:14

Love it, classic strong name.

Calliopespa · 18/08/2025 17:56

What about Francesco?

FancyFeline · 18/08/2025 10:45

We have a 6yo Francis so I'm biased but love it! He does go by Frank 99% of the time which fits him perfectly...not sure I can actually remember the last time anyone except the doctor called him Francis 🤔

MaggieBsBoat · 18/08/2025 07:25

I knew a Francis who was a very badass officer in the marines.

Very cool name.
Got a cousin Francis, also lovely guy.

Treeleaf11 · 18/08/2025 07:24

Barry ??

Francis is one of those names that is pronounced differently depending where you are in the UK. Fran-cis or Frarn-cis.
I'm not keen on it and prefer Frank

user1492757084 · 18/08/2025 07:15

Francis and Frank are handsome names.

In saying that, your DH doesn't like them so it would be a NO from me.

Other names with similar (early 1900s) vibes ..
Walter
Wilbur
Robert
Thomas
Clifford
Edward
Patrick
Neil
Duncan
Barry
Laurence
David
Cedric
Richard
Charles
Angus

Firebird83 · 18/08/2025 00:16

I know a 7 year old Francis. Nothing wrong with the name.

RitaAndFrank · 14/08/2025 21:46

I really like Frances or Francesca for a girl/woman - both very classy names. I’m not sure about Francis for a boy/man though. My first reaction is to think of it as an old-fashioned wimpy name, a bit like Walter or Cuthbert. It does have a lovely sound but the connotations would make me steer away from it. A shame.

YourDandyPlumBeaker · 14/08/2025 21:41

I love Francis for a boy! Frank is also a good name, but to me they are two distinct names. If you want Francis, stick to Francis.

ReluctantBikini · 14/08/2025 21:28

Love the name.

Tezza1 · 14/08/2025 21:22

I love the association with the Saints Francis, especially Francis of Assisi, as well as Pope Francis.

dogsflying · 14/08/2025 21:07

I love it for a boy

LancashireButterPie · 14/08/2025 20:42

Love Francis

Clearinguptheclutter · 11/08/2025 19:54

I don’t like it at all but Frank is ok

Cinnabonswirl · 11/08/2025 19:52

I like it
just use Frankie as the nn

ILoveWhales · 11/08/2025 19:45

MamaKatey12 · 06/08/2025 11:50

Please either help me to make my mind up or change my mind.

I love Francis DH is half on board with the nn Frank but thinks Francis is quite wet and the nn Fran very wet

please help I have 3 weeks to go and no other names

I love it. I know a baby Francis. Nn Frankie. It's cute.

Longdarkcloud · 10/08/2025 20:15

What about Franz ?
or Xavier which is usually coupled with Francis.

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 10/08/2025 19:11

Love it. It was our second choice.

Howdoesithappenlikethis · 10/08/2025 19:06

It's a big no from me as well. As a pp said, I grew up with a girl called Francis so I think about it being a girls name. I don't even like it for a girl however. Frank isn't particularly nice either imo. There are so many other nice names you could choose from

Calliopespa · 10/08/2025 17:15

Gffbjjgfddbjkkm · 10/08/2025 14:47

Just came back to this thread as I've been chatting to a friend who's started dating someone and said that the only drawback is that his name is Francis 😆.

It really is a wimpy name.

I wonder if it's @RiggahGooGoo's son!

I'm not sure Francis is all that wimpy is it?

I get that girls can be called Frances, but they can also be Francesca and Francesco isn't wimpy.