Francis vs Franklin vs Frank

[Whatwouldyoudo32]

DP is desperate to call DS1 Frank after a very dear relative, I am more than happy however said I think we should go something more formal on the BC for options later on.
My suggestion was Francis but DP suggestion is Franklin and we are struggling to agree, to me Franklin has a very different feel to Frank whereas Francis is traditional like Frank.
what would you do?

I personally prefer Francis over Franklin.

Francis is lovely. I don’t like Franklin, unless you’re honouring a maiden name or some family connection like that.

I think Frank is fine as a stand-alone name though; unlike a lot of popular shortenings it’s not cutesy and childlike e.g. Alfie, Teddy, Archie etc etc. Frank is perfectly dignified on a professional adult male.

Francis. Frank for short.

Francis. Frank for short. Really dislike Franklin. It feels like a name from a joke to me. "Do you like Franklin? I don't know, I've never Frankled."

Frank is a standalone name and not, in my opinion, informal. I believe it is actually older than Francis, it doesn't need a longer version for BC, especially if you just intend on using Frank. Worth considering that if you use Franklin/Francis on the BC then you child might divert to using only that, and if the name you really like it Frank then it could be opening up the option for him to use a name one or both of you aren't fussed on for the sake of an unnecessary formality.

I personally love Frank, on Mumsnet it tends to get a varied reception, but I think it has a simple elegance to it. I agree with OP that Franklin has a very different vibe, and I actually find it a very unappealing name. Francis is fine, a little drab to my ears, but nice enough.

Definitely Francis.

Francis.

Francis with nn Frank is great. Francis reminds me of St Francis, and Frank/Frankie are cute nicknames.

Franklin is too surnamey IMO and the 'lin' ending sounds quite feminine to me, like Carolyn or Evelyn.

Frank is a great name

I think Frank is the nicest option of the 3. If you have to go to one of the other I vote Franklin as I simply don't see how a Francis. Can become a cool Frank. It will be one of those cringe when proper names are read out imo.

Franklin has some cool to it on its own. However a Frank he can be anything. A cool dude. The population sports kid and a nerd. Its not pegged down anywhere.

Francis nn Frank. Franklin is frankly too american president

Black Francis aka Frank Blank

I would just go with Frank.

I have a Frank on the bc (nn Frankie) and love all these positive responses to his name ❤️ Congratulations on your little Frank, OP!

I like all 3 names. I think if it were me I would probably pick Francis. I knew a Francis in school but he was never called Frank though. I think people maybe more likely to stick to the nickname Frank with the name Franklin.

I view Frank as a stand-alone name, rather than a shortened name like Tom or Josh where you might want the “full name” on the birth certificate.

Much prefer Frank to either of the other options.

Just call him Frank. Don't like Francis or Franklin.

I love Frank for a boy but DH has vetoed. I think it’s a name in its own right rather than a diminutive so just Frank is fine and more classic than Franklin. If you must have something longer, then Francis.

But yes Frank is by far the coolest option, just go for Frank!

I have a Frank and I love it as it is. To me Francis is a very different name, totally different vibe.

Just go with Frank 😊

Fun fact: he was never President, but a Founding Father who signed the Declaration of Independence.

I like Franklin out of all of those

Francis nn Frank

Best of both worlds, and both v nice

Franklin D Roosevelt was most definitely President, the longest serving one I believe. Rather later than the founding fathers though.

Yes, I was referring to Benjamin Franklin.