Concerns with Francesca

[TomTheTalkingClock]

So Francesca sounds really nice for our upcoming DD, and DW likes it too - however I concern she will be nicknamed Frankie, something I think is too masculine for a girl/a bit tomboy (kinda like Alex, Sam or Chris). Then I don’t really like Chessie, Chesca etc either as well, the board game chess. Should I go back to the drawing board or not? Cheers

Fran is a classic nn too. Not to everyone's taste.

Chesca is the one that I hear a lot, I have never connected it to the game chess! I like that a lot, and it is similar to the whole name. I am curious that you hear chess in Chesca but not in Francesca.

But also, you can just call her by her whole name. If her friends choose a short versions, you don't have to use it.

Lovely name.

Could be Fran, Franny, Franky... people are bound to shorten it.

This was the reason I didn't go for Francesca, I like it but don't like any of the nicknames. Maybe use it as a middle name?

I think it's a really pretty name. I used to go to school with a girl named that and her name was never shortened.

You can’t predict a nickname. My family one is nothing like my real name (my older sister couldn’t pronounce it so called me something else, and her being the golden child, it became my bloody name which I hate)....

I know a Francesca (Italian) and she is sometimes called Fran-chi.

I know two Francescas, who are always called.... Francesca! And one who is Frankie, but her mum calls her that. So I think you can set the tone to some extent. Kids at school can come up with all sorts of weird nicknames. I knew a girl at school who was always known as “Doris”, even though her name was Sarah....and I used to a work with a chap known to everyone as “Boris” even though his name was Chris. So you can’t always legislate for nicknames!

This is my name - I've never been known by anything else. I'm always asked when I start a new job or meet new people 'Is it Fran, or Frankie, or...?' the shortened versions just don't suit me!!

I have a Francesca, but chosen because I didn’t mind any of the natural nicknames (Fran, Franny, Frankie). However, she has ended up being Cesca because she could pronounce it and always called herself that. I have to say though she is mostly Francesca.

I don’t think Frankie is an obvious nickname (as in unless you use that I don’t think others will - unless she does when she gets older but that will be the least of your problem

Francesca is the most beautiful name in the whole world.
Fran is also lovely.
Its not common yet not out there either.
Yes all the above nicknames will get used by different people but this happens with any name and you can't police it.
You won't regret using it because of possible nick names.
Do it.
I'm not biased or anything

Hi Franchescas...mum?

FWIW I like Frankie. And Chesca. I can't stand Fran or Frannie. She might also get called Francie (like France with an ee on the end.)

I know of a little girl called Frankie. Not masculine in the slightest. Bit like Charlie for Charlotte. It doesn't turn your little girl into a boy. I think it's cute.

I'm not a fan of Francesca, Fran or Chesca. I do like Frances, if that would be an option? I also like Frankie, it reminds me of frankincense.

@SerenityNowwwww

I love the name Francesca and I like most of the nicknames.

If you don’t like any of the nicknames I think you should find another name. It’s a long name and is very, very likely to be shortened at some point.

Whatever name you pick is really only 'yours' for your child's childhood because they can then change it, or use a middle name, or shorten it. So, I wouldn't worry about nicknames too much, just choose a name you want to call your child, you can't control what others (including your child) will do.

Francesca is lovely but yes, it will get shortened to Frankie (most likely IME by school/peers) and Cesca, but only if that's what you refer to her by.

Hi @SpunBodgeSquarepants it’s my name too! I love it. I’m Fran to friends and Francesca professionally. I’ve heard others called Chessy, Franny and Francha (Italian girl).

Don’t use it then or Have it as a middle name, If you don’t like what it can be shortened to.
You can only control nick names for so long. She may opt be go by Frankie.

I’m not keen on it. I prefer Frances.

I have a Francesca. She is 100% not a frankie, and on the odd occasion that a teacher has called it her she corrects them back to Francesca.
At home we call her chessy, but she doesn’t let anyone else call her that. She’s very particular!

Lovely name. The Francis in my life is known as Branco in some circles. The feminine would be Branca and my phone insists there is a name Brança also.

Frances in my family and Francesca. Both are Fran as much as the parents tried for it no to be.

It’s a nice name. I know one who goes by Franca.

I know one Francesca who is known as Franca, and I know two Frankies, one a child and one an adult, and the name doesn't appear masculine for either of them. It's more of a cool nickname rather than a masculine one.

The adult Frankie I know was Fran as a child, then Franny in tweens and teen years and Frankie when she was 18 and changed her name by deed poll.

I also know a Victoria and a Rebecca whose parents hated Vicky and Becky so insisted that everyone use their full names rather than shortened versions. As adults these women are still known by their full name and are vocal when people try to shorten their names. So it's possible to keep your DD's name as Francesca if you set the tone earlier on.

But I agree with a pp who said don't choose a name based on what nickname may or may not be used later on. Choose a name because you love it now.