Holding steady.
Popularity of Francena since 1912
Babies named Francena per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1948, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Francena's real moment was 1940.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 48 |
| 1920s | 102 |
| 1930s | 110 |
| 1940s | 151 |
| 1950s | 137 |
| 1960s | 61 |
| 1970s | 14 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Francena is a rare feminine given name that saw its greatest usage in the United States during the 1940s, peaking in 1940. It has not appeared in the top 1000 names in recent decades and has remained stable in its low-frequency status since the mid-20th century. The name first appeared in SSA records in 1912, during a period when elaborate feminine forms of established names were fashionable. While top states of usage are not recorded due to its scarcity, Francena exemplifies naming trends of its era. Its trajectory has been stable, with no signs of a revival, making it a distinctive choice rooted in early 20th-century American naming culture.
Francena is a feminine elaboration of Francis, which derives from the Latin Franciscus meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free one'. The name saw modest use in the early 20th century in the United States, particularly in the 1940s when it reached its peak popularity. It follows a pattern of creating ornate feminine forms of masculine names, similar to Francine or Francesca.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Fran, Franny, Cena
Sibling names for Francena
Names that share Francena's style, for a brother or sister.
