Frances

Meaning

Frances is the feminine form of Francis, ultimately from a Germanic word meaning “free,” as reflected in the excerpt’s glosses of related forms like Franc and Frances as “free.” In English usage it became a traditional female given name, especially associated with the Tudor period and later distinguished by spelling from the masculine Frank/Francis forms.

Origin

Fun fact

The excerpts note that older usage did not always sharply distinguish the feminine form by spelling, and that Frances was used among Tudor court namesakes.