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Francoise
How to Pronounce Francoise
Pronounced frahn-SWAHZ /frɑˈswɑz/Medium
Meaning: Francoise is the French feminine of Francois, from the Late Latin Franciscus, meaning 'Frenchman' or, more broadly, 'free one'. It is a classic French woman's name, and its American record reflects French heritage families and a mid-century vogue for elegant French names. Written here without the cedilla.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Francoise is the long-established French feminine of Francois, from the Latin Franciscus, 'Frenchman' or 'free one'. In the United States it stayed a distinctly French choice, carried by heritage families and by the mid-century fashion for chic Continental names.
It was always uncommon here, a few dozen girls a year around its faint high in the late nineteen-sixties, appearing thinly into recent decades. Its soft, breathy sound places it beside Francine, Francesca and Solange.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Francoise mean?
It is the French feminine of Francois, meaning 'French' or 'free one'.
How do you pronounce Francoise?
It's said frahn-SWAHZ /frɑˈswɑz/, two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Francoise a boy or girl name?
Francoise is used as a girl's name.
Is Francoise a popular name?
No, it was always a rare heritage name in America, appearing thinly across the twentieth century.