Frances — meaning, origin and description of the name

Frances

OriginLatin
SynonymsFrancisca, Francoise, Francesca, Francine, Franziska
DiminutiveFanny, Fannie, Fran, Frankie, Frannie, Franny, Sissie, Sissy, Cissy

The name Frances has Latin roots, is a paired female name to the name Francis. It is the English form of the Late Latin name Franciscus, meaning “Frenchman”, “Frankish”, “French”. Also, the name is interpreted as “free”.

The distinction between Francis as a masculine name and Frances as a feminine name did not arise until the 17th century. In various European countries, the name of Frances will sound like Francis (also sounds like a male name). The name Frances has analogues in Europe: Francisca, Francoise, Francesca, Francine. The appeal of Fanny also became an independent name.

The owner of the name of Frances is a strong personality with humanism and altruism, she knows how to intuitively feel where her intervention and help may be needed. She strives to make the world a better place, to help those who are disadvantaged. She is capable of great inspiration and creativity, and the material world with realities often does not represent any interest for her.

Sometimes her inner need to be useful turns out to be unclaimed in reality, in which case Frances will transfer her to an emotional and religious level, because her lofty aspirations and ideals are sometimes poorly adapted to everyday reality.

As a child, Frances is a charming and very affectionate girl who wants to be loved, so she is very susceptible to any moods in the family. Any shock or disagreement among her parents confuses her, loses her understanding of reality, which can lead to isolation and loss in her inner world of dreams. Therefore, parents should pay special attention to the development of the girl's independence skills, starting from an early age.

Frances is often interested in various social projects, social sciences, religion and the spiritual world. When diving into these areas, the owner of this name has a chance to get so carried away with the subject that she can reach dogmatism and fanaticism.

In love affairs, the girl is transformed, she turns into a sentimental and romantic nature, which is so eager to idealize her lover that it puts him on a pedestal built by her imagination. And in the future, this can lead to disappointment, since reality may turn out to be completely different from what Frances saw it. This girl is certainly a very feminine nature, and if she decides to devote herself to her family, she will become a loving and attentive mother. But the desire to be necessary for all other people will not leave her.

The owner of the name of Frances can build a good career, especially if she chooses the social or artistic sphere. She can become a talented teacher, psychologist, sociologist, consultant, social worker, in the field of medicine - a pediatric nurse, midwife. Administrative work will also appeal to her, especially if it is associated with various global projects, and may lead her to success in the political field.

Famous people named Frances

  • Frances Louise McDormand (born in 1957, the real name is Cynthia Ann Smith) – an American actress of theater, film, television and voice acting, producer. She is the winner of four Academy Awards, as well as Tony, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Emmy, four Screen Actors Guild Awards and three Independent Spirit Awards.
  • Frances Bean Cobain (born in 1992) – an American artist and model. The only child of musicians Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
  • Frances Elena Farmer (1913 - 1970) – an American actress and television presenter. She became known because of her scandalous and tragic fate, in particular, several forced hospitalizations of the actress to a psychiatric clinic became sensational. Two films have been made about the life of Frances Farmer, one TV program has been released, several books have been written, and many songs and newspaper articles have been dedicated to her.
  • Frances Fisher (born in 1952) – an American actress of British descent, known for the roles of Alice in Clint Eastwood's western “Unforgiven” (1992) and Rose Dewitt Bucater's mother in James Cameron's disaster film “Titanic” (1997).
  • Frances Conroy (born in 1953) – an American actress. Winner of the Golden Globe Award, as well as a nominee for the Tony and Emmy Awards. She was most famous for Ruth Fisher in the television series “The Client is always Dead” (2001-2005).
  • Ska Keller (born in 1981, the real name is Franziska Maria ‘Ska’ Keller) – a German politician. A member of the European Green Party. Activist of the struggle for the rights of migrants.
  • Francesca Ursula Radziwill (1705 - 1753) – a Polish aristocrat, the richest heiress of her time. Became the first female writer in Poland.
  • Franziska Hildebrand (born in 1987) – a German biathlete, multiple world and European champion in biathlon.
  • Franziska van Almsick (born in 1978) – a German swimmer. She was one of the strongest female swimmers who competed in freestyle during the 1990s and early 2000s. She’s became an Olympic champion for ten times. She has repeatedly set world records at distances of 50, 100 and 200 meters freestyle, as well as in relay races.

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