[name]Hi[/name] Nameberries, we have a new [name]Roman[/name] Catholic Pope [name]Francis[/name] I. [name]Jorge[/name] [name]Mario[/name] Bergoglio from [name]Argentina[/name] was elected Pope today. He will take the name of a saint ([name]Francis[/name] of [name]Assisi[/name]) rather than continuing the tradition of choosing a name held by a previous pope.
What do you Berries think of the name [name]Francis[/name]? [name]Do[/name] you foresee an upswing in popularity for the name and its international variants (males named [name]Francis[/name], [name]Francesco[/name], [name]Francisco[/name], [name]Franz[/name], [name]Franco[/name] and little girls being called [name]Frances[/name], [name]Francesca[/name], [name]Francine[/name], [name]Fran[/name]çoise, [name]Franziska[/name], [name]Francisca[/name], [name]Franca[/name])?
[name]Mischa[/name]! I am so glad you posted this, because I was about to compose a post regarding the name. I think it is wonderful that he chose the name of St. [name]Francis[/name], and I do foresee an upswing in the names [name]Francis[/name], [name]Frances[/name] and even [name]Francesca[/name].
My nephew just made his confirmation this past [name]Sunday[/name], and he chose the name [name]Francis[/name]!
I think so few people truly name children after exemplary namesakes. In the past these sorts of honor names were very common. Perhaps more so in the Latin countries as I am sure there will be/is an enormous amount of pride in the selection of the first truly global pope (there’s been a Syrian and a [name]North[/name] African, but that’s it).
I like it. I think we will see an upswing… it’s a great name. Not Catholic but always nice to see the traditions surrounding a papal election. Two in my lifetime… Crazy.
I think we could see an upswing, not necessarily people being named after the new Pope, but more because when you hear a name in the news, it can tend to grow on you. It also fits in nicely with the “old names made new” trend.
I personally love [name]Francis[/name], although I prefer [name]Fran[/name]çois, a family name for me. [name]Alas[/name], it is so badly mispronounced by most English speakers that I wouldn’t attempt it…
I love [name]Francis[/name]/[name]Frances[/name], and yes, I think we will see an increase. It might not be huge, but there will be one.
I was fascinated to read about the new Pope; how he lived a fairly simple life in Buenos Aires, for example he used public transport as opposed to having a driver to transport him about by car everywhere.
Given the history of [name]Saint[/name] [name]Francis[/name] of [name]Assisi[/name] ([name]Francis[/name], the Poor [name]Man[/name] of [name]Assisi[/name] who believed in living close to the poor), it’s quite fitting really. As such I think it clearly shows he chose his name to reflect the simple way he has lived his life as a bishop.
The only Fra- names I like are [name]Frank[/name] and [name]Franklin[/name]. I think [name]Francis[/name] is a boring choice - but I didn’t expect anything else from a pope.
Yes! I do believe you will see many more little [name]Fran[/name], [name]Frances[/name], [name]Francine[/name], [name]Francie[/name], [name]Franny[/name], [name]Francesca[/name], [name]Francis[/name], [name]Frank[/name] & more in the months to come. I’m overjoyed to see the Pope’s chosen name as [name]Francis[/name] I. You have no idea! [name]Francis[/name]/[name]Frances[/name] is a very special namesake in our family and we will be honoring it in some way very soon!
I was waiting to see which name the new pope would pick! I’m not Catholic but I find Catholic naming choices so interesting. I think St. [name]Francis[/name] of [name]Assisi[/name] is a great namesake and I’m sort of excited that he went outside the box a wee bit.
And oh, goodness, I hope there isn’t an upswing in [name]Frankie[/name] names. I know way too many Franciscos/Francescas as it is! It’s a nice name, I’m just tired of hearing it.
@bb19 - I have an actor uncle in my family who was christened [name]Francis[/name] [name]Michael[/name] (aka Uncle [name]Frank[/name]) so the name is very special in my family too.
@ashthedreamer - do you live in a place with a large Hispanic or Italian population? I don’t hear [name]Francisco[/name] or [name]Francesca[/name] very much.
I really think the new Pope made a wonderful choice in honoring St. [name]Francis[/name] of [name]Assisi[/name]! He who loved the poor and could communicate with nature! It is a breath of fresh air!
I will love to see the variations of [name]Francis[/name] being used more for our little ones. My very favorite name crush, and my little niece, is [name]Francine[/name], whose patron is St. [name]Francis[/name] of [name]Assisi[/name]. It is an honor that Pope [name]Francis[/name] has used that name sake.
I am not Catholic, but I must say, I am quite impressed with what I’ve seen of Pope [name]Francis[/name] I so far.
When he was speaking yesterday, he seemed a very gentle and humble man, and he has a very warm smile. I’m convinced I saw him smile more times yesterday then I ever saw the last Pope smile during his whole tenure.
I would think most Catholics are pleased with the choice made.
I know that post isn’t name related, but I just wanted to share that.
I actually shivered when they announced his name-- I’ve always really admired St. [name]Francis[/name]. I don’t know that his choice will change things much in [name]France[/name] and [name]Italy[/name], where [name]Fran[/name]çois and [name]Francesco[/name] are still pretty standard, classic choices, but I’d love to see [name]Francis[/name] lose its namby-pamby image in the US. As for [name]Frances[/name]… well, swoon. I’ve got a soft-spot for [name]Frances[/name].
Interestingly enough, I’ve been to [name]Italy[/name] one time and know exactly two Italian people. [name]One[/name] is [name]Francesco[/name], and the other is [name]Francesco[/name]'s brother Gianpaolo. I wonder if their mother knew that one day she’s have two papal namesakes in her house!
[name]Francis[/name] is a great starting place as far as name inspiration is concerned, as there are so many variations, especially with international appeal. Opinions (mostly positive) of the new pope aside, it’s a fun moment in NAMING history, that’s for sure =)
I hope to see a lot more babies named [name]Francis[/name] (or any other variant). Personally, I’d use [name]Francisco[/name] as a middle name to honor our pope.
