Frances is a French and English given name of Latin origin. In Latin the meaning of the name Frances is 'from France' or 'free one.' The male version of the name in English is Francis. The original Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman", comes from the Franks who were named for the francisca, the axe they used in battle. https://nameberry.com/babyname/frances Notable people and characters with the name include:

People

Frances, Countess of Périgord Frances de Châtillon (died 1481) was Countess of Périgord, Viscountess of Limoges, and Dame of Avesnes and Châlus. She was the eldest daughter of William, Viscount of Limoges and Isabelle de La Tour d'Auvergne. In 1470, she married Alai ...

(died 1481) *

Frances (musician) Sophie Frances Cooke (born 27 June 1993), known mononymously as Frances, is a British singer and songwriter from Newbury, Berkshire, England. Early life Born in Oxford, she grew up in Newbury and attended St Gabriel's School in nearby Sandlef ...

(born 1993), British singer and songwriter * Frances Estill Beauchamp (1860-1923), American temperance activist, social reformer, lecturer *

Frances Burke, Countess of Clanricarde Frances Burke, Countess of Clanricarde, Dowager Countess of Essex ( Walsingham, formerly Devereux and Sidney; 1567 – 17 February 1633) was an English noblewoman. The daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth I's Secretary of State, ...

(1567–1633), English noblewoman and Irish countess *

Frances E. Burns Frances E. Burns (May 2, 1866 – November 19, 1937) was an American social leader and business woman. She served as Great Commander for Michigan of the Ladies of the Maccabees. She was the first woman executive of an American fraternal congress t ...

(1866-1937), American social leader and business executive *

Frances Carr, Countess of Somerset Frances Carr, Countess of Somerset (31 May 1590 – 23 August 1632), born Frances Howard, was an English noblewoman who was the central figure in a famous scandal and murder during the reign of King James I. She was found guilty but spared exec ...

(1590–1632), central figure in a famous scandal and murder *

Frances Lewis Brackett Damon Frances Brackett Damon (, Brackett; pen name, Percy Larkin; May 21, 1857 – December 13, 1939) was an American writer of poetry, short stories, essays, playlets, and novels. She was also an editor of the literary magazines, ''The Quiet Hours'' ...

(1857–1939), American poet, writer * Frances Davidson, Viscountess Davidson (1894–1985), British politician and Member of Parliament *

Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk (née Lady Frances Brandon; 16 July 1517 – 20 November 1559), was an English noblewoman, the second child and eldest daughter of King Henry VIII's younger sister, Princess Mary, and Charles Brandon, 1st Duke ...

(1517–1559), granddaughter of Henry VII of England and mother of Queen Jane Grey *

Frances Haugen Frances Haugen (born 1983 or 1984) is an American data engineer and scientist, product manager, and whistleblower. She disclosed tens of thousands of Facebook's internal documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission and ''The Wall Street Jo ...

, American data engineer and scientist, product manager, and whistleblower *

Frances Hyde, Countess of Clarendon Frances Hyde, Countess of Clarendon (25 August 1617 (baptised) – 8 August 1667), born Frances Aylesbury, was an English peeress. As the mother of Anne Hyde, she was mother-in-law to James II and VII, the deposed king of England, Scotland, and I ...

(c. 1617–1667), mother-in-law of King James II of England and maternal grandmother of Mary II and Queen Anne * Frances Newton, Lady Cobham (1539–1592), one of the closest friends of Queen Elizabeth I of England *

Frances Radclyffe, Countess of Sussex Frances Radclyffe, Countess of Sussex ( Sidney; 1531–1589) was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I and the founder of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. She was the daughter of Sir William Sidney,Chisholm, 1911, pp. 164–165 of ...

(1531–1589), Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I *

Frances Seymour, Duchess of Somerset Frances Seymour, Duchess of Somerset (''née'' Devereux; 30 September 1599 – 24 April 1674) was an English noblewoman who lived during the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I, Charles I and Charles II. Her father was Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl o ...

(1599–1674), English noblewoman *

Frances Stewart, Duchess of Richmond Frances Teresa Stewart, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox (8 July 1647Encyclopædia Britannica – 15 October 1702) was a prominent member of the Court of the Restoration and famous for refusing to become a mistress of Charles II of England. For her ...

, as known as 'La Belle Stuart', the face of Britannia *

Frances Talbot, Countess of Tyrconnell Frances Talbot, Countess of Tyrconnell (''née'' Jennings, previously Hamilton; – 1731), also called La Belle Jennings, was a maid of honour to the Duchess of York and, like her sister Sarah, a famous beauty at the Restoration court. She ma ...

(c. 1647–1730), English courtier and Irish countess *

Frances Vane, Viscountess Vane Frances Anne Vane, Viscountess Vane (formerly Hamilton, ''née'' Hawes; c. January 1715 – 31 March 1788), was a British memoirist known for her highly public adulterous relationships. Early life and first marriage Frances Anne Hawes was th ...

(1715–1788), British memoirist known for her highly public adulterous relationships *

Frances Waldegrave Frances Elizabeth Anne Waldegrave, Countess Waldegrave (1821–1879), was the daughter of John Braham, the singer. Life Frances was born in London on 4 January 1821. She married, on 25 May 1839, John James Waldegrave (illegitimate son of John Wa ...

, Countess Waldegrave (1821–1879), a leader and hostess of society * Frances Atkins, British chef * Frances Barkman (1885–1946), Russian-born Australian schoolteacher and Jewish community worker *

Frances Catherine Barnard Frances Catherine Barnard ( pen name, Mrs. Alfred Barnard; 7 May 1796 – 30 January 1869) was an English writer, poet, and playwright. She was the author of various dramatic works and tales. Active in the 1800s, her work was published in England a ...

(1796–1869), English author *

Frances Elizabeth Barrow Frances Elizabeth Barrow (, Mease; pen name, Aunt Fanny; February 22, 1822May 7, 1894) was a 19th-century American children's writer. Biography Frances (nickname, "Frankie Blue") Elizabeth Mease was born in Charleston, South Carolina, Februar ...

(1822–1894), American children's writer *

Frances Black Frances Black (born 25 June 1960) is an Irish people, Irish singer and politician. She came to prominence in the late 1980s when she began to play with her family's band, The Black Family (band), the Black Family, performing a mix of Traditi ...

(born 1960), Irish singer *

Frances Manwaring Caulkins Frances Manwaring Caulkins (April 26, 1795 – 1869) was a 19th-century American historian and genealogist, the author of histories of New London, Connecticut and Norwich, Connecticut. Through her father, she was descendant of Hugh Caulkins, who ...

(1795–1869), American historian, genealogist, author *

Frances Bean Cobain Frances Bean Cobain (born August 18, 1992) is an American visual artist and model. She is the only child of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain and Hole frontwoman Courtney Love. She controls the publicity rights to her father's name and image. ...

(born 1992), American artist, daughter of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain and singer Courtney Love *

Frances Augusta Hemingway Conant Frances Augusta Conant (, Hemingway; December 23, 1842 - April 28, 1903) was an American journalist, editor, and businesswoman. She was the founder and principal promoter of the Illinois Woman's Press Association (IWPA). Conant died in 1903. Ea ...

(1842–1903), American journalist, editor, businesswoman *

Frances Conroy Frances Hardman Conroy is an American actress. She is best known for playing Ruth Fisher on the television series '' Six Feet Under'' (2001–2005), for which she won a Golden Globe and three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and received four Prime ...

, American actress *

Frances Cornford Frances Crofts Cornford (née Darwin; 30 March 1886 – 19 August 1960) was an English poet. Life She was the daughter of the botanist Francis Darwin and Newnham College fellow Ellen Wordsworth Crofts (1856-1903), and born into the Darw ...

(1886–1960), English poet * Frances Dickinson (1856–1945), American physician, clubwoman *

Frances Dodge Frances Dodge (November 27, 1914 – January 24, 1971) was an internationally known horsewoman. She was the eldest of the three children of John Francis Dodge (co-founder of Dodge Motor Company) and his third wife Matilda Rausch Dodge (Wils ...

(1914–1971), American internationally known horsewoman *

Frances Scott Fitzgerald Frances Scott "Scottie" Fitzgerald (October 26, 1921 – June 18, 1986) was an American writer and journalist and the only child of novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald. She worked for '' The Washington Post'', '' The New Yo ...

(1921–1986), American journalist *

Frances Burney Frances Burney (13 June 1752 – 6 January 1840), also known as Fanny Burney and later Madame d'Arblay, was an English satirical novelist, diarist and playwright. In 1786–1790 she held the post as "Keeper of the Robes" to Charlotte of Mecklen ...

(1752–1840), English novelist, diarist and playwright *

Frances Hodgson Burnett Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett (24 November 1849 – 29 October 1924) was a British-American novelist and playwright. She is best known for the three children's novels ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' (published in 1885–1886), '' A Little ...

(1849–1924), English playwright and author * Frances Farmer, American actress *

Frances Fisher Frances Louise Fisher (born May 11, 1952) is a British-born American actress. She began her career in theatre and later starred as record executive Suzette 'Red' Saxon in the CBS daytime soap opera ''The Guiding Light'' (1985). In film, she is ...

, American actress *

Frances FitzGerald (journalist) Frances FitzGerald (born October 21, 1940) is an American journalist and historian, who is primarily known for '' Fire in the Lake: The Vietnamese and the Americans in Vietnam'' (1972), an account of the Vietnam War. It was a bestseller that wo ...

(born 1940), American journalist and author *

Frances Fitzgerald (politician) Frances Fitzgerald (; born 1 August 1950) is an Irish politician who has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Ireland for the Dublin constituency since July 2019. She is a member of Fine Gael, part of the European People's Party. ...

(born 1950), Irish Fine Gael politician * Frances Forbes-Robertson (1866–1956), British novelist * Frances X. Frei, American academic and businesswoman * Frances Elizabeth Fryatt, American author, editor, specialist in household applied arts * Frances Nimmo Greene (1867-1937), American educator and author *

Frances Irene Burge Griswold F. Burge Griswold (, Burge; after first marriage, Smith; after second marriage, Griswold; pen names, F. Burge Smith, Mrs. S. B. Phelps, Fan-Fan; April 28, 1826 – November 11, 1900) was a 19th-century American author. She wrote Sunday school tal ...

(1826–1900), American poet, author * Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–1879), English hymnwriter, religious poet * Frances C. Jenkins (1826-1915), American evangelist, Quaker minister, and social reformer *

Frances Benjamin Johnston Frances Benjamin Johnston (January 15, 1864 – May 16, 1952) was an early American photographer and photojournalist whose career lasted for almost half a century. She is most known for her portraits, images of southern architecture, and various ...

(1864–1952), American photographer and photojournalist *

Frances Môn Jones Frances Môn Jones (20 October 1919 – 8 September 2000) was a Welsh harpist and teacher who won three harp competitions and one solo soprano contest at the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1937 to 1949. She began playing the organ at age 14 b ...

(1919–2000), Welsh harpist and teacher * Frances Kirwan (born 1959), British mathematician *

Frances Latham Frances Latham (16101677), was a colonial American woman who settled in Rhode Island, and is known as "the Mother of Governors." Having been widowed twice, she had three husbands, and became the ancestor of at least ten governors and three depu ...

(1610–1677), colonial woman in Rhode Island known as "the Mother of Governors" for having 10 governors among her direct descendants * Frances Lupton (1821–1892), English reformer for female education *

Frances MacDonald Frances Macdonald MacNair (24 August 1873 – 12 December 1921) was a Scottish artist whose design work was a prominent feature of the Modern Style (British Art Nouveau style) during the 1890s. Biography The sister of artist-designer M ...

(1873–1921), Scottish artist * Frances Harrison Marr (1835–1918), American poet *

Frances McDormand Frances Louise McDormand (born Cynthia Ann Smith; June 23, 1957) is an American actress and producer. Throughout her career spanning over four decades, McDormand has received numerous accolades, including four Academy Awards, two Primetime Emm ...

(born 1957), American actress *

Frances McKee Frances McKee (born 1966) is a Scottish singer and songwriter known best for her work in the Scottish indie band The Vaselines. Background McKee's involvement with music began as a teenager in the early 1980s when she met Duglas T. Stewa ...

(born 1966), Scottish musician, guitarist for Scottish indie band The Vaselines * Frances Gertrude McGill (1882–1959), pioneering Canadian forensic pathologist and criminologist *

Frances Laughton Mace Frances Laughton Mace ( Frances Parker Laughton; pen name: Inez; January 15, 1836 – July 20, 1899) was an American poet. Her poems first appeared in ''The Journal of Commerce''. She was best remembered for the poem and hymn "Only Waiting", ...

(1836–1899), American poet *

Frances Margaret Milne Frances Margaret Milne ( pen name, Margaret Frances; June 30, 1846 – April 1910) was an Irish-born American author and librarian of the long nineteenth century. Her works included, ''For to-day : poems'' (1893); ''A cottage gray and other poems' ...

(1846–?), Irish-born American writer and librarian *

Frances Nelson Frances "Fanny" Nelson, Viscountess Nelson ( Frances Herbert Woolward, formerly Nisbet; (1758 4 May 1831), is best known as the wife of Horatio Nelson, the British naval officer who won several victories over the French during the French Rev ...

(1761–1831), wife of Admiral Horatio Nelson * Frances Osborne (born 1969), British author * Frances Perkins (1880–1965), the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest serving in that position, and the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet *

Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston Frances Clara Cleveland Preston (née Folsom born as Frank Clara; July 21, 1864 – October 29, 1947) was an American socialite, education activist, and the first lady of the United States from 1886 to 1889, and again from 1893 to 1897 as t ...

(1864–1947), wife of US President Grover Cleveland *

Frances Quinlan Christine Frances Quinlan (born May 7, 1986) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and visual artist best known for fronting Philadelphia indie rock band Hop Along. They have painted all the band's album art. Career Early life Quinlan ...

, American musician *

Frances of Rome Frances of Rome, Obl.S.B., ( it, Santa Francesca Romana, la, Sāncta Francisca Rōmāna) (1384 – March 9, 1440) is an Italian saint who was a wife, mother, mystic, organizer of charitable services and a Benedictine oblate who founded a relig ...

(1384–1440), Italian saint, mystic, organizer of charitable services and Benedictine oblate who founded a religious community of oblates * Frances Rutherford (1912–2006), New Zealand artist and occupational therapist * Frances Schreuder (1938–2004), American murderer in the Franklin Bradshaw murder. *

Frances Alice Shepherd Frances Alice Shepherd, is a Canadian oncologist recognized for her research on lung cancer and her contributions to the design, development, and conduct of clinical trials. She is currently a senior staff physician at Princess Margaret Cancer Cent ...

, Canadian academic *

Frances Lee Strong Frances Lee Strong ( Myers; May 29, 1934 – April 24, 2020), better known by her stage name Grandma Lee, was an American stand-up comedian who was a talent show contestant on '' America's Got Talent'' in 2009. She began performing when sh ...

or Grandma Lee (1934–2020), American comedian *

Frances T. Sullivan Frances T. Sullivan ( Taylor) is an American politician from New York. Life She was born Frances Taylor in Volney, Oswego County, New York, the daughter of Elmer E. Taylor (died 1994) and Marion (Foster) Taylor (1922–2014). She graduated B.A ...

, New York State assemblywoman 1991–2002 *

Frances Shand Kydd Frances Ruth Shand Kydd (previously Spencer, ''née'' Roche; 20 January 1936 – 3 June 2004) was the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales. She was the maternal grandmother of William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, respectivel ...

(1936–2004), British viscountess, mother of Diana, Princess of Wales *

Frances Sweeney Frances Sweeney (c. 1908 – June 19, 1944) was a journalist and activist who campaigned against fascism, antisemitism, and political corruption in 1940s Boston. She edited her own newspaper, the ''Boston City Reporter'', and started the '' Bost ...

(1908–1944), American journalist and anti-fascist activist *

Francie Swift Francie Swift is an American actress best known for her role as Cynthia in ''Thoroughbreds'' and her recurring roles as Haylie Grimes on '' Outsiders'' and Anne Vanderbilt Archibald on ''Gossip Girl''. Life and career Swift was born in Amarill ...

, born Frances Swift, American actress *

Frances Tiafoe Frances Tiafoe Jr. ( ; born January 20, 1998) is an American professional tennis player. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has ranked Tiafoe as high as world No. 17 in singles, on October 10, 2022, and world No. 160 in doubles, on No ...

, (male) American tennis player *

Frances Christine Fisher Tiernan Frances Tiernan (, Fisher; pen name, Christian Reid; July 5, 1846 – March 24, 1920) was an American author who wrote more than 50 novels, most notably ''Land of the Sky, The Land of the Sky''. Reared as a Roman Catholic, she grew up in the Sout ...

(1846–1920), American novelist and author under the pen name Christian Reid *

Frances Trollope Frances Milton Trollope, also known as Fanny Trollope (10 March 1779 – 6 October 1863), was an English novelist who wrote as Mrs. Trollope or Mrs. Frances Trollope. Her book, '' Domestic Manners of the Americans'' (1832), observations from a ...

(1779–1863), English novelist and writer, mother of novelist and writer Anthony Trollope *

Frances Eleanor Trollope Frances Eleanor Trollope (née Ternan; 1 August 1835 – 14 August 1913) was an English novelist. She was best known for her biography on her mother-in-law, Frances Milton Trollope, who was famous for her book, ''Domestic Manners of the American ...

(1835–1913), sister of Ellen Ternan (Charles Dickens' mistress) and sister-in-law of Anthony Trollope *

Frances Willard Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard (September 28, 1839 – February 17, 1898) was an American educator, temperance reformer, and women's suffragist. Willard became the national president of Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1879 an ...

(1839–1898), American educator, temperance reformer and women's suffragist *

Frances Yip Frances Yip Lai-yee (born 1947) is a Hong Kong English pop and Cantopop singer. She is best known for performing many of the theme songs for television series produced by TVB in the 1980s and early 1990s. Biography Born in 1947, Yip is of H ...

, Hong Kong singer * Frances (Fanny) Brawne (1800–1865), fiancée of Romantic poet John Keats *

Frances Xavier Cabrini Frances Xavier Cabrini ( it, Francesca Saverio Cabrini; July 15, 1850 – December 22, 1917), also called Mother Cabrini, was an Italian-American Catholic religious sister. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, ...

(1850–1917), Italian-American Roman Catholic nun and saint

Fictional characters

* Frances, the title character in the children's book series by

Russell Hoban Russell Conwell Hoban (February 4, 1925 – December 13, 2011) was an American expatriate writer. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in ...

Frances Earnshaw ''Wuthering Heights'' is an 1847 novel by Emily Brontë, initially published under her pen name Ellis Bell. It concerns two families of the landed gentry living on the West Yorkshire moors, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and their turbulent ...

, from the novel ''Wuthering Heights'' * Frances "Baby" Houseman (portrayed by

Jennifer Grey Jennifer Grey (born March 26, 1960) is an American actress. She made her acting debut with the film ''Reckless'' (1984), and had her breakthrough with the teen comedy film '' Ferris Bueller's Day Off'' (1986). She subsequently earned worldwide ...

), from the movie ''

Dirty Dancing ''Dirty Dancing'' is a 1987 American romantic drama dance film written by Eleanor Bergstein, produced by Linda Gottlieb, and directed by Emile Ardolino. Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, it tells the story of Frances "Baby" Houseman ...

'' * Frances, in the anime ''

Sonic X is a Japanese anime television series based on Sega's '' Sonic the Hedgehog'' video game series. Produced by TMS Entertainment under partnership with Sega and Sonic Team, and directed by Hajime Kamegaki, ''Sonic X'' initially ran for 52 ...

'' * Frances "Franny" Glass, from ''Franny and Zooey'' * Mary Frances "Francie" Nolan, from '' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'' by Betty Smith * Frances Stevens, played by

Grace Kelly Grace Patricia Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982) was an American actress who, after starring in several significant films in the early to mid-1950s, became Princess of Monaco by marrying Prince Rainier III in April 1956. Kelly ...

in Hitchcock's ''

To Catch a Thief '' To Catch a Thief'' is a 1955 American romantic thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, from a screenplay by John Michael Hayes based on the 1952 novel of the same name by David Dodge. The film stars Cary Grant as a retired cat burgl ...

'' * Frances Ha, the title character, played by

Greta Gerwig Greta Celeste Gerwig (; born August 4, 1983) is an American actress, screenwriter, and director. She first garnered attention after working on and appearing in several mumblecore films. Between 2006 and 2009, she appeared in a number of films ...

, in the 2012 American black and white comedy-drama film, ''

Frances Ha ''Frances Ha'' is a 2012 American black and white comedy-drama film, directed by Noah Baumbach and written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig. Gerwig also plays the title role, a struggling 27-year-old dancer. The film premiered at the Telluride Film ...

'' * Frances "Frankie" Heck, played by

Patricia Heaton Patricia Helen Heaton (born March 4, 1958) is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her work on sitcoms, having played Debra Barone on ''Everybody Loves Raymond'' (1996–2005) as well as Frances "Frankie" Heck on '' The Middl ...

on the ABC sitcom The Middle * Frances the Firefly, the protagonist in a fire safety

public information film Public information films (PIFs) are a series of government-commissioned short films, shown during television advertising breaks in the United Kingdom. The name is sometimes also applied, ''faute de mieux'', to similar films from other countries, ...

References

{{Authority control Feminine given names French feminine given names English feminine given names

People

Fictional characters

See also

References