Holding steady, #307 for girls today.
Popularity of Francesca since 1895
Babies named Francesca per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 13 |
| 1900s | 42 |
| 1910s | 168 |
| 1920s | 171 |
| 1930s | 108 |
| 1940s | 297 |
| 1950s | 989 |
| 1960s | 1,380 |
| 1970s | 2,250 |
| 1980s | 4,095 |
| 1990s | 6,909 |
| 2000s | 7,019 |
| 2010s | 6,875 |
| 2020s | 5,015 |
Meaning & origin
Francesca has been recorded in U.S. data since 1895, but its modern popularity peaked in 2025, when it ranked 307th. The name shows a stable trajectory, indicating consistent but moderate use. It is most favored in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine, reflecting a concentration in Northeastern states with strong Italian American heritage. The name's enduring appeal lies in its melodic sound and cultural resonance, balancing traditional roots with contemporary style.
Francesca is the Italian feminine form of Francesco, which derives from the Latin Franciscus meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free one'. The name became popular in Italy during the Middle Ages, especially due to the fame of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose birth name was Giovanni but was nicknamed Francesco. It spread across Europe and has been consistently used in Italian-speaking regions, with notable usage in English-speaking countries from the 20th century onward.
Where Francesca is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Francesca” around the world
Where Francesca lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
New Zealand
18
babies in 2025
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Fran, Frankie, Chessa, Cheska
Variants: Francheska, Francisca
Sibling names for Francesca
Names that share Francesca's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Sofia, Isabella, Lucia, Lena, Viviana, Carmella, Lauretta, Marcella, Andreana, Annamaria, Antonetta, Antonietta, Daniele, Domenica, Michelina, Nicoletta, Rachele, Vittoria, Anetta, Antoinetta, Carmie, Francia, Gaetana, Georgena, Giorgia, Margherita, Natalina, Patrizia, Raffaela, Rozetta, Bennetta, Ceceilia, Elisabetta, Francenia, Franci, Marcellina, Mariateresa, Nicolena, Thereasa, Giordana, Paolina, Vincenta
Brothers: Matteo, Lorenzo, Luca, Marco, Dante, Carmine, Domenic, Dominic, Giacomo, Giuseppe, Leopoldo, Pasquale, Rocco, Sylvester, Vincenzo, Vito, Antonino, Bernardino, Domenico, Enrico, Geno, Paolo, Vittorio, Benedetto, Gaspare, Guiseppe, Raffaele, Salvator, Emanuele, Gianfranco, Ignazio, Massimiliano, Egidio, Franko
Names like Francesca
Names whose popularity has moved with Francesca's over the last 50 years.
