Francine is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the Latin word "francus," which means "free" or "from France." The name has been used in France since the Middle Ages and was brought to other parts of Europe by French settlers.
The name Francine became popular during the 20th century, particularly in France and Canada. It reached its peak popularity in France in the 1950s and 1960s, and in Quebec, Canada in the 1940s and 1950s.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Francine. For instance, French novelist François Sagan was originally named Françoise Quoirez but became known by her pen name, Francine. Additionally, Francine Parker, a character played by Marilyn Monroe in the film "Some Like It Hot," has contributed to the name's popularity and recognition.
Despite its French origins, Francine has been used internationally. In English-speaking countries, it is often spelled as Francine, while in French-speaking countries, it may be spelled François or Françonne. Regardless of spelling, the name Francine carries a strong association with France and its culture.
Statistics on the given name Francine in the United States are as follows:
In terms of annual births, Francine was quite popular during the mid-twentieth century. The year 1960 saw six babies being named Francine at birth. Four years later, in 1964, five more girls were given this name.
However, the popularity of Francine as a baby girl's name seemed to wane after these peak years. According to available statistics, there have been no recorded births with this name since then.
Despite its decline in recent decades, Francine remains a name steeped in history. It has been bestowed upon 11 girls in total across the United States during the period of record.