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 foot ...

) 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 f ...

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) Francisco (died 28 April 1876) was the last person to be executed in Brazil. An enslaved person, he was hanged for the murder of his masters. In 1874, Francisco and two other slaves, Prudencio and Vicente, were arrested for having beat to death t ...

(died 1876), black slave who killed his masters and the last person executed by Brazil * Francisco Ayala (disambiguation), several people *

Francisco J. Ayala Francisco José Ayala Pereda (born March 12, 1934) is a Spanish-American evolutionary biologist, philosopher, and former Catholic priest who was a longtime faculty member at the University of California, Irvine and University of California, Dav ...

(born 1934), Spanish-American biologist and philosopher *

Francisco de Borja Echeverría Francisco José de Borja Echeverría (Santiago 1848- Santiago 1904) was a Chilean Conservative Party deputy and diplomat. He finished his secondary education at Instituto Nacional. In 1871 he graduated as lawyer working both as lawyer and teache ...

(1848–1904), Chilean diplomat and politician * Francisco Buarque de Hollanda, 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), Chilean track and road cyclist *

Francisco Caamaño Domínguez Francisco Caamaño Domínguez (born 8 January 1963) is a Spanish politician, who served as justice minister from 2009 to 2011. He is a member of the Spanish Parliament. Early life and education Caamaño was born in Ceé, A Coruña province, on ...

(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 Francisco Dagohoy (born Francisco Sendrijas; c. 1724) was a Filipino revolutionary who holds the distinction of having initiated the longest revolt in Philippine history, the Dagohoy Rebellion. This rebellion against the Spanish colonial governme ...

, 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), 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, Spanish dictator (1939–1975) * Francisco García, Dominican basketball player *

Francisco Hudson Ancud.html" ;"title="Punta Arenas by sea from Ancud">Punta Arenas by sea from Ancud, and in orange Hudson's proposed route. The red dot shows the 20 km wide Ofqui Isthmus the only obstacle that makes this route intransitable. --> Francisco Hudson C ...

(1826–1859), Chilean navy officer and hydrographer * Francisco Infante-Arana (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, Brazilian model *

Francisco Liaño Francisco Liaño Fernández (born 16 November 1964) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Although he represented four clubs during 15 years as a senior, his professional career was closely associated to Deportivo, during ...

, 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 Indian ...

, MLB shortstop *

Francisco Liriano Francisco Liriano Casillas (born October 26, 1983) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, ...

, MLB starting pitcher *

Francisco Marto Francisco de Jesus Marto (11 June 1908 – 4 April 1919) and Jacinta de Jesus Marto (11 March 1910 – 20 February 1920) were siblings from Aljustrel, a small hamlet near Fátima, Portugal, who with their cousin Lúcia dos Santos (1907–2 ...

, 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 *

Francisco Olivencia Francisco Olivencia Ruiz (12 February 1934 – 4 January 2019) was a Spanish lawyer and politician. Early life Francisco Olivencia was born in Ceuta and studied law at the Complutense University of Madrid. His brother was Manuel Olivencia. Ol ...

(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, medium in Brazil's spiritism movement * Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistador * Francisco Rodríguez (baseball, born 1982), (K-Rod) MLB closing pitcher * Francisco Rodríguez Adrados (1922–2020), Spanish hellenist * Francisco Rotllán, Mexican football (soccer) player * Francisco Rubio Llorente (1930–2016), Spanish jurist * Francisco Santos (disambiguation), several people * Francisco Sardinha, Indian politician, former Chief Minister of Goa and member of the Indian National Congress * Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, Spanish conquistador * Francisco Velázquez, former Argentine roller hockey player * Francisco Lachowski, Brazilian fashion model * Francisco Victoria, Mexican independence fighter * Francisco Vidal (disambiguation), several people * Francisco Vidal (Chilean politician), Chilean politician * Francisco González Gómez (1918–1990), Spanish caricaturist, painter and sculptor who used the pseudonym of ''Francisco'' * Puran Appu, Weerahannadige Francisco Fernando (1812–1848), Sri Lankan Sinhala independence revolutionary

As a surname

* Aaron Francisco, American football player * Nininho (footballer, born 1923), Antônio Francisco (1923–1997), better known as Nininho, Brazilian football player * Botong Francisco (1912–1969), Filipino painter * Frank Francisco, Dominican professional baseball pitcher * João Francisco, Brazilian football player * Jason Francisco, Filipino actor and comedian * Manuel Francisco, South African professional snooker player * Noel Francisco, American attorney, Solicitor General of the United States (2017–2020) * Osmar Francisco, Brazilian footballer * Pablo Francisco, American stand-up comedian * Peter Francisco (1760–1831), American Revolutionary War soldier * Peter Francisco (snooker player), South African professional snooker player * Sergio Francisco, Spanish footballer * Silvino Francisco, South African professional snooker player

Fictional characters

* Francisco d'Anconia, a character in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged * Francisco Ramon, a superhero in the DC Comics (sometimes called Paco Ramon) * Francisco Scaramanga, the main antagonist of Ian Fleming's last novel, ''The Man with the Golden Gun (novel), The Man with the Golden Gun'' (1964) and the subsequent film adaption from 1974 * Judge Francisco, supporting character in the Judge Dredd 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