Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Francisco
BoySpanish, Portuguese· “Frenchman”
- Meaning
- Frenchman
- Origin
- Spanish, Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- fran-SIS-koh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #322
- US babies 2025
- 1,069
- Best rank
- #114 (1991)
- Peak year
- 1993
Meaning and origin of Francisco
Francisco is a Spanish and Portuguese name that means “Frenchman”.
Francisco is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Francis, from the Latin Franciscus, meaning Frenchman or, originally, one of the Franks. The Franks were a Germanic people whose name also came to suggest freedom. The name spread widely thanks to Saint Francis of Assisi, known for his devotion to poverty and his love of animals, and to Saint Francis Xavier, a missionary to Asia. The city of San Francisco carries his name. Francisco is a longtime classic across Spain, Portugal and Latin America, with warm nicknames such as Paco, Pancho, Frank and Cisco.
Popularity over time
Francisco has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #114 in 1991, and the most babies received it in 1993, when 2,967 were named Francisco. In 2025, 1,069 babies were named Francisco, and it ranked #322 nationally. That is 28% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #299 in 1920, #254 in 1950, #154 in 1980, #139 in 2000, #197 in 2010, and #322 in 2025. Of the 142,192 US boys named Francisco since records began, 20% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 26,520 babies. Since 2010, 22,036 more have been named Francisco.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Darius, Tevin, Zachery, Ruben, and Shaquille.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Francisco ranked highest in Arizona, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | #148 | 60 |
| California | #156 | 248 |
| Texas | #170 | 219 |
| Nevada | #236 | 13 |
| Idaho | #237 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Francisco is usually pronounced fran-SIS-koh, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with F and ends in “-co”.
Middle names for Francisco
A few middle names that flow with Francisco: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Francisco
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Lists that include Francisco
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Francisco mean?
Francisco is a Spanish and Portuguese name that means “Frenchman”.
What is the origin of the name Francisco?
Francisco has Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin roots. Francisco is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Francis, from the Latin Franciscus, meaning Frenchman or, originally, one of the Franks.
Is Francisco a popular name?
Yes. Francisco ranked #322 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Francisco a boy or girl name?
Francisco is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Francisco?
Francisco is usually pronounced fran-SIS-koh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings