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National Frances Day – June 13, 2023

National Frances Day is observed every June 13. This day aims at celebrating all those people who are named Frances. The name Frances, which is of Latin origin, is a girl’s name meaning ‘from France; free man.’

Francis is the male form of Frances, the English variation of the Latin name Franciscus. Franciscus means ‘Frenchman’ and was taken from the Germanic tribe the Franks, which got its name from the Francisca, the ax they used in battle.

History of National Frances Day

Until the 17th century, Frances and Francis were used interchangeably for both sexes. Although it is thought that Frances was not popular anymore, it seems to be on the cusp of a possible revival. It’s been chosen in recent years by such stylish parents as Jimmy Fallon and Amanda Peet, whose daughter has the nickname of the spunky Frankie.

The truth is that Frances was a favorite name of the Tudor aristocracy after being given to Henry VII’s granddaughter. St. Frances Cabrini was the first American citizen to be canonized. The most common form of using this name is by its diminutive and many of the most known pop culture bearers uses it, such as the Franny of J.D. Salinger’s “Franny and Zooey,” Francie in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” Frankie in “A Member of the Wedding,” Baby in “Dirty Dancing,” and Gidget in “Gidget.”

The traditional nickname Fran feels a bit dull and Fanny, though possessing some 18th-century charm, is unusable in Britain and Australia where it is jargon for female genitalia. Frances is the charming badger in the childhood favorite “Bedtime for Frances” and other Frances books. Among well-known people named Frances are Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor in the Roosevelt era; actresses McDormand, Dee, Farmer, and Fisher; journalist Fitzgerald; and writers Burney and Hodgson Burnett.

National Frances Day timeline

1600s
The Distinction Between Francis and Frances Arises

The distinction between Frances and Francis, their male and female variations, arises.

1850
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is Born

A notable bearer of the name Frances is Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, a social worker and the first American to be canonized.

1946
Frances Xavier Cabrini is Canonized

She is the first U.S. citizen to be canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

2013
Frances Begins Trending Upward

Before Pope Francis is named in 2013, the name Frances begins trending upward.

National Frances Day FAQs

Is Frances a good name?

Frances, a soft and gentle classic, is considered a very good name and a serious one.

How popular is the name Frances?

The name Frances was at its top popular in the year 1918 with 16,127 births named Frances.

What does Frances mean in the Bible?

In the Bible, the meaning is “Person from France.”

National Frances Day Activities

  1. Cook dinner for Frances

    If you know someone named Frances, invite her to have dinner. You can cook her favorite meal to celebrate this day.

  2. Host a party

    To celebrate this day, you can also host a party. A fun idea would be asking your friends that come to the party dressed as one famous Frances or Francis in history.

  3. Create a Frances community

    Another idea to celebrate this day is to create a community of all people named Frances and Francis. You can create a profile on Instagram and start adding Frances and Francis profiles.

5 Facts About The Name ‘Frances’

  1. Abandoned name

    Frances was the abandoned first name of famous girls, such as Judy Garland, Dinah Shore, and Dale Evans.

  2. Foreign versions

    Some attractive foreign versions that are popular are Francesca, Francoise, Franca, Fanya, and Francine.

  3. Frances´ top 10 list

    Frances hit the Top 10 list in 1926 and maintained Top 50 status until 1950.

  4. Frances Bean

    Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love caused an impact on the usage of Frances when they named their daughter Frances Bean.

  5. Characteristics

    It is said that the main characteristics of Frances are: communicative, creative, optimistic, popular, social, dramatic, and happy.

Why We Love National Frances Day

  1. It is an opportunity to know another name

    This day is also an opportunity to know another name. Maybe the name Frances is unknown to many people and they get to know it on this day.

  2. It is a day to celebrate

    This day is an opportunity to celebrate. If you host a party, this day is special for you and your loved ones to have fun together.

  3. It is a day to honor important people

    This day is also an opportunity to honor important people named Frances and Francis. For example, it is an opportunity to honor Pope Francis and the achievements he has made.

National Frances Day dates

YearDateDay
2023June 13Tuesday
2024June 13Thursday
2025June 13Friday
2026June 13Saturday
2027June 13Sunday

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