1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Francis

FRANCIS (Lat. Franciscus, Ital. Francesco, Span. Francisco, Fr. François, Ger. Franz), a masculine proper name meaning “Frenchman.” As a Christian name it originated with St Francis of Assisi, whose baptismal name was Giovanni, but who was called Francesco by his father on returning from a journey in France. The saint’s fame made the name exceedingly popular from his day onwards.