I mentioned in another thread that DH and I are strongly considering naming our third son [name_u]Francis[/name_u].
We both [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] this name! We have so many positive associations with it: I’m a writer and [name_m]Saint[/name_m] [name_u]Francis[/name_u] of Sales is the patron saint of writers; we both love the outdoors, and [name_m]Saint[/name_m] [name_u]Francis[/name_u] of [name_f]Assisi[/name_f] is the saint of nature and animals; my grandfather is a huge [name_m]Frank[/name_m] ([name_u]Francis[/name_u]) Sinatra fan; our whole family loves [name_m]Malcolm[/name_m] in the Middle and [name_u]Francis[/name_u] was always our favorite character; and the name is relevant to all of our ethnic heritage (we are [name_m]French[/name_m], English, Irish, and Italian; [name_u]Francis[/name_u] means ‘Frenchman’ but it’s an English name and is often used by the Irish and Italians).
Only problem is…almost everyone we tell about the name says it’s too girly or that it’s a sissy name! It seems like most guys named [name_u]Francis[/name_u] end up going by [name_m]Frank[/name_m], and we wonder if it’s because they’re embarrassed by their name. We want our son to love his name too! We don’t want to be parents that name their kid [name_f]Apple[/name_f] or [name_m]Pilot[/name_m] just because WE like it.
Any thoughts on this? We know he COULD end up going by [name_m]Frank[/name_m] if he wanted, but while hubby and I love [name_u]Francis[/name_u], we personally don’t care much for the name [name_m]Frank[/name_m].
I love [name_u]Francis[/name_u]. People who say it sounds girly apparently don’t know the difference between [name_u]Francis[/name_u] and [name_f]Frances[/name_f]? My only reservation would be nickname. It’s bound to happen at some point whether it’s [name_m]Frank[/name_m]/[name_u]Frankie[/name_u] or [name_u]Fran[/name_u]. Not because it’s long, but because it’s a bit formal/old-fashioned sounding. Maybe you should come up with an occasional nickname you do like before other people go in a different direction.
I prefer it for a girl ([name_f]Frances[/name_f]). My grandfather was [name_u]Francis[/name_u] (my Aunt was [name_f]Frances[/name_f] nn [name_u]Fran[/name_u] or [name_f]Franny[/name_f]) and he was a wonderful man, but to be completely honest - I don’t think it’s a great choice for a boy. I do think it would very well be considered a sissy name and there is a very good chance he would want to go by some other name.
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] the name [name_u]Francis[/name_u] for a boy! It has such soft sound and it is a very used royal name. I don’t think it is girly - I think it is truly unisex. The male form is [name_u]Francis[/name_u], the female - [name_f]Frances[/name_f]. We live in a world full of boys named [name_u]Noah[/name_u] and [name_u]Luca[/name_u], [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] and [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], [name_u]Noel[/name_u] and [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m]. They’re all soft names but no one bats an eye so I don’t see the problem with [name_u]Francis[/name_u]. If you love it, then go for it!
However, if you fear that he might not like his name you can use [name_m]Francisco[/name_m]? It is a name that is longer, sightly more muscular and just as lovely. I know a [name_m]Francisco[/name_m] who goes by [name_m]Chico[/name_m] - that way you can avoid the unwanted [name_m]Frank[/name_m] nickname.
I don’t think it’s “sissy” at all. It is softer sounding, but still definitely masculine. If you’re worried about him not liking it, I would come up with a solid middle name that he could go by if he chose to later on.
I love [name_u]Francis[/name_u] for a boy (and [name_f]Frances[/name_f] for a girl)! I think it’s a great name, very handsome. As previous posters have mentioned, it’s a softer name in terms of sound, but it’s still an awesome name. I did recently watch a film (Deadpool) where [name_u]Francis[/name_u] didn’t have the best rep, but no matter the name it’s difficult to predict if he’ll like it. I do agree if it’s really stressing you out, maybe a middle he could go by if necessary is the way to go. And [name_m]Frank[/name_m] or another nickname might just arise naturally, even if he likes [name_u]Francis[/name_u].
I am generally someone who likes soft-sounding boys names, but I do think of [name_u]Francis[/name_u] as a “sissy” name and I think at least some other people in the real world probably will too. It’s also not really in style right now. It’s a shame because it’s a nice enough name with a lot of history, but to be totally honest, I’m not sure a boy would love growing up with that name.
The things people say are utterly ridiculous! [name_u]Francis[/name_u] has a long history of being a very solid, masculine name (ie Pope [name_u]Francis[/name_u], [name_u]Francis[/name_u] [name_m]Drake[/name_m], [name_u]Francis[/name_u] [name_m]Scott[/name_m] Key, “[name_u]Francis[/name_u]” F. [name_m]Scott[/name_m] [name_m]Fitzgerald[/name_m] plus the men you listed).
I can only assume that your son will be proud to be one of the many incredible and influential men named [name_u]Francis[/name_u]. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t listen to anyone who says [name_u]Francis[/name_u] is a “sissy” name. On that note, no matter what name you choose people will find something negative about it, so keep your head high and good luck!
[name_u]Francis[/name_u] is a great name, not “sissy” at all [name_f]IMO[/name_f]! Yes it sounds just like [name_f]Frances[/name_f], but I don’t think running onto a female with a name that sounds the same is a bad thing either.
I Absoultley love [name_u]Francis[/name_u] for a boy! Perhaps instead of frank if he HAD to have a nickname then he could go by frans or fran. I’m sure your son will appreciate the level of thought and care you put into choosing his name and will love his name because of its special associations.
I don’t think [name_u]Francis[/name_u] is too girly at all- in fact, I find it a tad too maculine for a girl! I don’t think you should worry about that, it’s truly a beautiful name and I doubt you’ll find another one that fits your bill so perfectly and that you have so many connections to.
If it’s really putting you off, you can always use [name_m]Francisco[/name_m]. It’s exactly the same name, but in Spanish. [name_u]Francis[/name_u] can even be a nickname for him
In short, I’d say go for it. It’s impossible not to love that name, especially it gives him a connection to almost everyone in the family
I think [name_u]Francis[/name_u] would make an excellent choice. It’s strong without being overly, in-your-face macho, it has history, and it’s classic without being over-used.
Sure, he might end up going by [name_m]Frank[/name_m] or [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] one day, just as many Michaels go by [name_m]Mike[/name_m]…sometimes nicknames are inevitable as children grow up, but I’m quite sure that it’s normally not due to being embarrassed by their full names.
[name_u]Francis[/name_u] has deep meaning for you and your family. I think you should choose the name you love, and that seems to be such a perfect fit for your family.
The name is unisex. [name_u]Francis[/name_u]/[name_f]Frances[/name_f] sound the same but are for different genders. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, because let’s be honest, [name_f]Frances[/name_f] for a girl isn’t exactly in right now either, so I doubt you’re ever going to run into a girl in his class with the same name or something like that.
Personally, I don’t like the name. I just think it sounds too frumpy and old-fashioned. But if that’s the name that you like & you can agree on, then go for it! It’s a perfectly respectable name.
Personally, I’d use it as a middle name rather than first if it’s that significant to you. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though it’s spelled differently than the female version, it does seem a little effeminate somehow to me.
Honestly, if you love it and have that many positive associations with the name, go for it. It’s not a personal favorite of mine, but I think your son will appreciate the amount of thought you put into his name.
Stick with [name_u]Francis[/name_u]. It has rich, multi-layered meaning to you. Other people should have the decency to keep their negative opinions to themselves. You can’t guarantee that your kid will love his name all throughout his life. I’ve never been fond of my name and don’t feel that it suits me, but it doesn’t cause me any real existential pain, haha! [name_m]Even[/name_m] if your son doesn’t like the sound of his name, raise him up to be confident and to appreciate the reasons you and your husband chose it for him. I know plenty of people whose parents/family call them one name though they go by a different name or a nickname when they’re out and about, and it doesn’t cause problems - so he can be [name_u]Francis[/name_u] at home even if he ends up [name_u]Frankie[/name_u]/[name_m]Frank[/name_m] at school/work. There’s also [name_m]Frisco[/name_m], which is unexpected, energetic, and cute. Best of luck, and stay strong!
Although we’re still searching through names and haven’t made a final decision, we’re feeling much more confident about the name [name_u]Francis[/name_u] now and are certainly keeping it at the top of our list. We decided we don’t mind the nicknames [name_m]Frisco[/name_m], [name_m]Franz[/name_m], [name_f]France[/name_f], or even [name_m]Frank[/name_m] if it’s spelled [name_m]Franc[/name_m], though we both still prefer the full name [name_u]Francis[/name_u] far more than any of the nickname possibilities.