The name Francesca is a girl's name of Italian origin meaning "from France or free man". Francesca is ranked #435 on our popularity charts and is often added to lists like Cool Girl Names From Around the World and discussed in our forums with posts like "Names on NB that make you go WOW!".
From the experts:
Francesca is a lighter and much more feminine choice than the classic Frances, and one that is increasingly popular with upscale parents.
Francesca made an appearance in Dante's Inferno and then, centuries later, in the best-selling novel The Bridges of Madison County, played on screen by Meryl Streep and co-starring Clint Eastwood, who went on to name his daughter Francesca. Other dads of Francescas include Martin Scorsese, Erik Estrada, Jason Bateman and (stepdad) Ringo Starr.
Francesca is also having a big renaissance in Italy, its country of origin.
Lists containing Francesca:
- Girly Girl Baby Names
- Alternatives to Georgia
- Alternatives to Isabella
- Three-Syllable Baby Names
- Cool Girl Names From Around the World
- Yupster Baby Names for Girls
- Alternatives to Alexandra
- Names to Substitute for Gabriella
- Names to Substitute for Melissa
- Feminizations
- Pretty Girl Names
- Reality TV Baby Names
- Top Italian Baby Names
- Popular Italian Baby Names
- Feminine Girl Names
- Names That Mean Freedom
Francesca in Blog Posts
Francesca in the Forums
Comments

Sarah11 Says:

Ella Says:
I LOVE this name but my mom hates it.

alextheindigo Says:
Cute, spunky, girly name

Sully9 Says:
Such a beautiful name

oliviamcdonald Says:
I love nickname Cheska

paulapuddephatt Says:
I love this name so much, and Frankie, Fran or Chesca. I also adore Frances, Francine and Francina.

valeeeeria Says:
This is going to be my niece name and I want a nice nickname for her since I don't like "Franky"

mickie86 Says:
I like Francine so much more! Although Francesca is nice too.

actingfun Says:
Don't cry, I love your name!

actingfun Says:
I love how this name has such a variety of nicknames, and the full name isn't a mouthful. It's so perfect!

Hylian Wizard Says:
I like Francesca! But not Frankie- that's way too boyish for me. I prefer Fran or Frances.

Francescs Says:
😢😢

scblovesnames Says:
ultimately I love other names more but this is beautiful

Zuzana Says:
Francesca is beautiful, I even love Franny, Fran, Francie..

Theodora_Phoenix Says:
Hazel Francesca makes a good combo. I like it!

headintheclouds Says:
I love Francesca- it sounds and looks very lively and spunky. Also it's a classic name that everyone knows and has heard of, but it isn't too common. I'd use it as a middle name; Hazel Francesca is one of my favorite combos for a girl. As a nickname, I think Frankie is adorable, though I think Francesca should be left in its full form if possible- it's just so pretty!

miriam veblen Says:
It's not my favorite name but it's OK.

Catastroffy Says:
This name is too frilly...it's almost sickly...I'm sorry.

pj8352 Says:
LOL...cute!

pj8352 Says:
My daughter is going to name her daughter Francesca Bianca ... Bianca after my mother's middle name and due on my mother's birthday April 4th. Francis is my father's middle name but this was unintentional ... It is special for me since both of my parents have passed on. My sister said Francesca is too long so she's going to call her Francy pants...Love it! So I think this grandma will call her new granddaughter "Francy Pants". She will join her 2 year old brother, Ricardo! :-) Feeling Blessed this New Year Day!!!

tori101 Says:
Such a gorgeous name : )

indiefendi2 Says:
If you don't want "Frankie" to be a nickname there's always Francia! 😍

Bobcat108 Says:
Francesca & Franci are two names I've always loved...when I was a kid I desperately wanted a Franci doll.

jasminegarden Says:
such a beautiful name, I love the nicknames Frankie and Chessie :)

unicornluvgirl Says:
I am in love with the nickname Frankie!

Guest Says:
When I was a kid I thought this was Franjessica hahahaha.

Netta5187 Says:
My favorite nickname for Francesca is Francie, which is Grace Kelly's character in To Catch a Thief. The name Francesca is beautiful in itself! Very stylish and classy.

DryLake Says:
Beautiful.
I love Francesca. What other nn are there other than Frankie?