Franca
Looking for more names like Franca? Get Name MatchMaker & more Expert name-finding tools!
Origin of the name Francesca:
Feminine form of Francesco, the Italian cognage of Francis, which is from the Middle Latin Franciscus, a derivative of Francus (a Frank, a freeman). The name was borne by the 13th-century Francesca da Rimini, the beautiful daughter of the county of Ravenna, Giovanni da Polenta. In return for military support, Francesca's father betrothed her to the ugly and malformed lord of Rimini, Giovanni Malatesta. Paolo, Malatesta's handsome younger brother, acted as proxy in the marriage and he and Francesca soon fell in love. They were discovered and put to death in 1289 by Malatesta. Dante recorded the tragedy of Francesca da Rimini in his work Inferno.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the bookDoes Franca sound...
Sibling Names for Franca...
Do you know any real life Francas?
What are their siblings named?
Reader Contributions
Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Franca!
- Comments and insights on the name Franca: | Edit
An Italian woman's name.
- Personal experiences with the name Franca: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Nicknames for Franca: | Edit
Fran, Frankie
- Meanings and history of the name Franca: | Edit
A contracted form of Francesca
- Famous real-life people named Franca: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Franca in song, story & screen: | Edit
- Share what you know!
NameVoyager US Popularity of Franca Over Time
NameMapper Current Popularity of Franca by State
Baby Name Wizard Store
Celebrate with personalized baby name products! Custom birth announcements, invitations, bibs, onesies & more.
Start Shopping