Francisco is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the masculine given name ''

Franciscus Franciscus is a Latin given name, originally an epithet meaning "the Frank, the Frenchman". It was applied to Saint Francis of Assisi (1181/82–1226). Francis had been baptized Giovanni (John); his father was Italian and his mother Proven� ...

''.

Nicknames

In Spanish, people with the name Francisco are sometimes nicknamed "

Paco Paco is a Spanish nickname for Francisco. According to folk etymology, the nickname has its origins in Saint Francis of Assisi, who was the father of the Franciscan order; his name was written in Latin by the order as ''Pater Communitatis'' (fath ...

". San Francisco de Asís was known as ''Pater Comunitatis'' (father of the community) when he founded the

Franciscan , image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg , image_size = 200px , caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans , abbreviation = OFM , predecessor = , ...

order, and "Paco" is a short form of ''Pater Comunitatis''. In areas of Spain where

Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous co ...

is spoken, "

Patxi Patxi is a male given name in the Basque language area in northern Spain and south-west France, but more commonly a nickname for those officially named Francisco (or François in the French zone, ultimately cognates of Francis); the original Basqu ...

" is the most common nickname; in the

Catalan Catalan may refer to: Catalonia From, or related to Catalonia: * Catalan language, a Romance language * Catalans, an ethnic group formed by the people from, or with origins in, Northern or southern Catalonia Places * 13178 Catalan, asteroid #1 ...

areas, "Cesc" (short for

Francesc Francesc () is a masculine given name of Catalan origin. It is a cognate of Francis, Francesco, Francisco, François, and Franz. People with the name include: *Cesc Fàbregas (Francesc Fàbregas i Soler) (born 1987), Spanish professional footba ...

) is often used. In Spanish

Latin America Latin America or * french: Amérique Latine, link=no * ht, Amerik Latin, link=no * pt, América Latina, link=no, name=a, sometimes referred to as LatAm is a large cultural region in the Americas where Romance languages — languages derived ...

and in the

Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

, people with the name Francisco are frequently called "

Pancho Pancho is a male nickname for the given name Francisco (Spanish and Portuguese equivalent of Francis). The feminine form is Pancha. It is also sometimes used as a surname. Notable people with the name include: Given name *Pancho Barnes (1901– ...

". " Kiko" is also used as a nickname, and "

Chicho Chicho is a Spanish male nickname. It can be a pet name for many different Spanish names, including Francisco and Narciso. Notable people known by this nickname include: * Cándido Sibilio * Chicho Frumboli, also known as Mariano Frúmboli, Argen ...

" is another possibility. In Portuguese, people named Francisco are commonly nicknamed " Chico" (''shíco''). This is also a less-common nickname for Francisco in Spanish.

People with the given name

Pope Francis Pope Francis ( la, Franciscus; it, Francesco; es, link=, Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) is the head of the Catholic Church. He has been the bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State since 13 March 2013 ...

is rendered in the Spanish and Portuguese languages as Papa Francisco *

Francisco Acebal Francisco López Acebal (5 April 1866, in Gijón – 5 September 1933) was a Spanish novelist, playwright and journalist. Education He began his studies at the Institute Jovellanos of his native town and continued with Escolapios Madrid. He grad ...

(1866–1933), Spanish writer and author *

Francisco Alves Mendes Filho Cena Francisco Alves Mendes Filho, better known as Chico Mendes (; 15 December 1944 – 22 December 1988), was a Brazilian rubber tapper, trade union leader and environmentalist. He fought to preserve the Amazon rainforest, and advocated for the h ...

(1944–1988), known as

Chico Mendes Francisco Alves Mendes Filho, better known as Chico Mendes (; 15 December 1944 – 22 December 1988), was a Brazilian rubber tapper, trade union leader and environmentalist. He fought to preserve the Amazon rainforest, and advocated for the h ...

, Brazilian rubber tapper, unionist and environmental activist * Francisco Anysio de Oliveira Paula Filho (1966–1997), known as

Chico Anysio Chico Anysio (born Francisco Anysio de Oliveira Paula Filho, 12 April 1931 – 23 March 2012) was a Brazilian actor, comedian, writer and composer. Biography Anysio was born in Maranguape, Ceará. He moved with the family to Rio de Janeiro ...

, Brazilian actor, comedian, writer and composer * Francisco de Assis França, known as

Chico Science Francisco de Assis França (March 13, 1966 – February 2, 1997), better known as Chico Science, was a Brazilian singer and composer and one of the founders of the manguebeat cultural movement. He died in a car accident in 1997 in Recife, Perna ...

, Brazilian singer and composer and one of the founders of the Mangue Beat cultural movement * Francisco (slave) (died 1876), black slave who killed his masters and the last person executed by Brazil *

Francisco Ayala (disambiguation) Francisco Ayala may refer to: * Francisco Ayala (novelist) (1906–2009), Spanish novelist * Francisco J. Ayala Francisco José Ayala Pereda (born March 12, 1934) is a Spanish- American evolutionary biologist, philosopher, and former Catholi ...

, several people * Francisco J. Ayala (born 1934), Spanish-American biologist and philosopher * Francisco de Borja Echeverría (1848–1904), Chilean diplomat and politician *

Francisco Buarque de Hollanda Francisco Buarque de Hollanda (born 19 June 1944), popularly known simply as Chico Buarque, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, guitarist, composer, playwright, writer, and poet. He is best known for his music, which often includes social, economic, ...

, popularly known as

Chico Buarque Francisco Buarque de Hollanda (born 19 June 1944), popularly known simply as Chico Buarque, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, guitarist, composer, playwright, writer, and poet. He is best known for his music, which often includes social, economic, ...

, Brazilian singer, guitarist, composer, dramatist, writer and poet *

Francisco Cabrera (cyclist) Juan Francisco Cabrera Torres (born June 9, 1979) is a male professional track and road cyclist from Chile. He represented his native country at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Career ;1999 :10th in General Classifi ...

, Chilean track and road cyclist * Francisco Caamaño Domínguez (born 1963), Spanish politician *

Francisco Carreón Francisco Carreón y Marcos (October 5, 1868 – 1939/41) was a Filipino general in the Philippine Revolution against Spain and in the Philippine–American War. As the vice president of Macario Sakay's Tagalog Republic ''(Tagalog: Republika ...

, Filipino revolutionary who was the former vice president of the short-lived

Tagalog Republic Tagalog Republic ( fil, Republika ng Katagalugan, more precisely "Republic of the Tagalog Nation/People"; es, República Tagala) is a term used to refer to two revolutionary governments involved in the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish ...

that existed from 1902–1906 *

Francisco Cerúndolo Francisco Cerúndolo (born 13 August 1998) is an Argentine professional tennis player. He has won one ATP singles title. Cerúndolo attained a career high ATP singles ranking of World No. 24 on 25 July 2022. He also has a career high doubles r ...

(born 1998), Argentine tennis player * Francisco Dagohoy, Filipino who started a rebellion against Spain that endured for 85 years *

Francisco Denis Francisco Denis (born 1961) is a Venezuelan actor and director. Denis runs his own theater company in Venezuela, and has acted in about 20 films there. Selected filmography * DEMONICA (TBA) *Takari de Chivo ( TBA) Also director and writer *Benig ...

, Venezuelan actor and director * Francisco Javier Duarte, Laser physicist *

Francisco Flores (disambiguation) Francisco Flores may refer to: * Francisco Flores (1926–1986) (1926–1986), Mexican football midfielder * Francisco Flores Pérez Francisco Guillermo Flores Pérez (17 October 1959 – 30 January 2016) was a Salvadoran politician who serv ...

, several people *

Francisco Fonseca José Francisco "Kikin" Fonseca Guzmán (born 2 October 1979) is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a striker. He currently works as a football analyst for Televisa Deportes Network. Club career Born in León, Guanajuato, ...

, Mexican football (soccer) player *

Francisco Franco Francisco Franco Bahamonde (; 4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975) was a Spanish general who led the Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War and thereafter ruled over Spain from 193 ...

, Spanish dictator (1939–1975) * Francisco García, Dominican basketball player * Francisco Hudson (1826–1859), Chilean navy officer and hydrographer *

Francisco Infante-Arana Francisco Infante-Arana (russian: Франсиско Инфанте-Арана), born 1943 in Vasilievka, Saratov Oblast, Soviet Union) is a Russian artist. Background Francisco Infante-Arana was born to a Spanish father and Russian mother, who ...

(born 1943), Russian painter *

Francisco de Jesus Francisco de Jesus (born May 9, 1956) is a Brazilian former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 1994, challenging for the WBA super welterweight title in 1989. As an amateur, he competed at two consecutive Summer Olympics in 1976 and 19 ...

, Brazilian boxer * Francisco Jiménez (born 1943), Mexican-American author * Francisco Leal (1968-) Spanish sprint canoer *

Francisco Lachowski Francisco Lachowski (, ; born 13 May 1991) is a Brazilian fashion model. He has been featured in advertisements for a number of notable brands, including Dior Homme, Balmain, Hugo Boss, Etro, L'Oréal, Armani Exchange, H&M, and Tommy Hilfige ...

, Brazilian model * Francisco Liaño, Spanish footballer *

Francisco Lindor Francisco Miguel Lindor Serrano (born November 14, 1993), nicknamed "Paquito" and "Mr. Smile", is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Cleveland Ind ...

, MLB shortstop * Francisco Liriano, MLB starting pitcher * Francisco Marto, Fatima visionary * Francisco Morales, Argentine judoka *

Francisco Macías Nguema Francisco Macías Nguema ( Africanised to Masie Nguema Biyogo Ñegue Ndong; 1 January 1924 – 29 September 1979), often mononymously referred to as Macías, was an Equatoguinean politician who served as the first President of Equatorial Guinea ...

, later Africanized his name to Masie Nguema Biyogo Ñegue Ndong, former dictator of

Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea ( es, Guinea Ecuatorial; french: Guinée équatoriale; pt, Guiné Equatorial), officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea ( es, link=no, República de Guinea Ecuatorial, french: link=no, République de Guinée équatoria ...

* Francisco Olivencia (1934–2019), Spanish lawyer and politician *

Francisco de Orellana Francisco de Orellana Bejarano Pizarro y Torres de Altamirano (; 1511 – November 1546) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador. In one of the most improbably successful voyages in known history, Orellana managed to sail the length of the Amaz ...

(1511–1546), Spanish explorer and conquistador * Francisco de Paula Cândido (1910–2002), known as

Chico Xavier Chico Xavier () or Francisco Cândido Xavier, born Francisco de Paula Cândido (, April 2, 1910 – June 30, 2002), was a popular Brazilian philanthropist and spiritist medium. During a period of 60 years he wrote over 490 books and several ...

, medium in Brazil's spiritism movement *

Francisco Pizarro Francisco Pizarro González, Marquess of the Atabillos (; ; – 26 June 1541) was a Spanish conquistador, best known for his expeditions that led to the Spanish conquest of Peru. Born in Trujillo, Spain to a poor family, Pizarro chose ...

, Spanish conquistador *

Francisco Rodríguez (baseball, born 1982) Francisco Rodríguez may refer to: Sports Baseball * Frank Rodriguez (born 1972), pitcher for the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners *Francisco Rodríguez (Venezuelan pitcher) (born 1982), relief pitcher who is nicknamed "K-Rod" * Francisco Rod ...

, (K-Rod) MLB closing pitcher * Francisco Rodríguez Adrados (1922–2020), Spanish hellenist * Francisco Rotllán, Mexican football (soccer) player *

Francisco Rubio Llorente Francisco Rubio Llorente (25 February 1930 – 23 January 2016) was a Spanish judge and law professor. He was President of the Spanish Council of State between 2004 and 2012, his predecessor and successor was José Manuel Romay Beccaría. He was ju ...

(1930–2016), Spanish jurist * Francisco Santos (disambiguation), several people *

Francisco Sardinha Francisco Cosme Sardinha (born 15 April 1946) is an Indian politician, who is serving as the Member of Parliament (MP), representing South Goa Lok Sabha constituency. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Minister of Goa from 24 November 199 ...

, Indian politician, former Chief Minister of Goa and member of the

Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British E ...

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado Francisco is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the masculine given name '' Franciscus''. Nicknames In Spanish, people with the name Francisco are sometimes nicknamed " Paco". San Francisco de Asís was known as ''Pater Comunitatis'' (father o ...

, Spanish conquistador * Francisco Velázquez, former Argentine roller hockey player *

, Brazilian fashion model * Francisco Victoria, Mexican independence fighter * Francisco Vidal (disambiguation), several people * Francisco Vidal (Chilean politician), Chilean politician *

Francisco González Gómez Francisco González Gómez ( Santander, 1918 – 7 March 1990) was a Spanish caricaturist, painter and sculptor, considered in his time as having re-invented caricature in Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat ...

(1918–1990), Spanish caricaturist, painter and sculptor who used the pseudonym of ''Francisco'' * Weerahannadige Francisco Fernando (1812–1848), Sri Lankan Sinhala independence revolutionary

As a surname

Aaron Francisco Aaron Francisco (born July 5, 1983) is a former American football safety. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at BYU. He was also a member of the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis C ...

, American football player * Antônio Francisco (1923–1997), better known as Nininho, Brazilian football player * Botong Francisco (1912–1969), Filipino painter *

Frank Francisco Franklin Thomas Francisco (born September 11, 1979) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets and Chicago White Sox. Baseball career Fr ...

, Dominican professional baseball pitcher *

João Francisco João Francisco Nóbrega da Silva (born January 28, 1947 in Mangaratiba) is a former Brazilian football manager. Honors ;Vila Nova * Campeonato Goiano:: 1977 ;Cruzeiro * Campeonato Mineiro: 1984 ;Al-Arabi * Sheikh Jassim Cup: 1982–83 ;Join ...

, Brazilian football player *

Jason Francisco Jason Veron Francisco (born October 11, 1987)Jason Francisco's Bio
. Pinoy Big Brother

, Filipino actor and comedian * Manuel Francisco, South African professional snooker player *

Noel Francisco Noel John Francisco (born August 21, 1969) is an American lawyer who served as Solicitor General of the United States from 2017 to 2020. He was the first Asian American confirmed by the United States Senate to hold the position. As Solicitor Gene ...

, American attorney, Solicitor General of the United States (2017–2020) * Osmar Francisco, Brazilian footballer *

Pablo Francisco Pablo Ridson Francisco (born January 4, 1974) is an American comedian, actor and writer. He started his career doing improv in Tempe, Arizona. Career In the 1990s, he appeared on ''MADtv'' as a featured player. His stand-up act was introduced ...

, American stand-up comedian *

Peter Francisco Peter Francisco (born Pedro Francisco; July 7, 1760 – January 16, 1831) known variously as the "India", the "Giant of the Revolution" and occasionally the "Virginia Hercules", was a Portuguese-born American patriot and soldier in the America ...

(1760–1831),

American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was a major war of the American Revolution. Widely considered as the war that secured the independence of t ...

soldier *

Peter Francisco (snooker player) Peter Francisco (born 14 February 1962 in Cape Town, Western Cape) is a former South African professional snooker player who won the African Snooker Championship 4 times and South African Snooker Championship 8 times and the South African Bi ...

, South African professional snooker player * Sergio Francisco, Spanish footballer *

Silvino Francisco Silvino Francisco (born 3 May 1946) is a South African former professional snooker player, most notable for winning the 1985 British Open. Snooker career Francisco comes from a snooker-playing family. His brother Manuel and nephew Peter both ...

, South African professional snooker player

Fictional characters

* Francisco d'Anconia, a character in

Ayn Rand Alice O'Connor (born Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum;, . Most sources transliterate her given name as either ''Alisa'' or ''Alissa''. , 1905 – March 6, 1982), better known by her pen name Ayn Rand (), was a Russian-born American writer and p ...

's novel

Atlas Shrugged ''Atlas Shrugged'' is a 1957 novel by Ayn Rand. It was her longest novel, the fourth and final one published during her lifetime, and the one she considered her ''magnum opus'' in the realm of fiction writing. ''Atlas Shrugged'' includes elemen ...

* Francisco Ramon, a

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...

in the

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. ( doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with the ...

(sometimes called Paco Ramon) *

Francisco Scaramanga Francisco Scaramanga is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists in the James Bond novel and film version of '' The Man with the Golden Gun''. Scaramanga is an assassin who kills with his signature weapon, a pistol made of solid gold ...

, the main antagonist of Ian Fleming's last novel, '' The Man with the Golden Gun'' (1964) and the subsequent film adaption from 1974 * Judge Francisco, supporting character in the

Judge Dredd Judge Joseph Dredd is a fictional character created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra. He first appeared in the second issue of '' 2000 AD'' (1977), which is a British weekly anthology comic. He is the magazine's longest-running ...

comic strip

References

{{given name, type=both Spanish masculine given names Portuguese masculine given names fr:Francisco nl:Francisco ja:フランシスコ nds:Francisco