Italian name researcher Enzo Caffarelli recently implied that the name Francesco suddenly became the top boy name in Italy after the election of Pope Francis in March of 2013.
“The name ‘Francesco’ is the most popular name for newborns in Italy so far in 2013, and it is evident that the impact of the former Jose Mario Bergoglio is the main contributing factor to the name’s new popularity,” Caffarelli said.
“New popularity”? Hm… I’m not sure I would have worded it that way.
Why? Because Francesco has been the #1 name for baby boys in Italy since 2001.
I mean, it’s possible that the Pope has given the name a boost numerically. Rankings-wise, though, it’s already at the top. Can’t go any higher.
Update, Dec. 2022: Pope Francis did indeed give Italy’s #1 boy name Francesco an added boost in 2013. Here’s the data:
- 2015: 8,763 baby boys named Francesco in Italy
- 2014: 10,316 baby boys named Francesco in Italy
- 2013: 10,553 baby boys named Francesco in Italy
- 2012: 7,978 baby boys named Francesco in Italy
- 2011: 8,505 baby boys named Francesco in Italy
And here’s a visual:
Francesco remained the top boy name in Italy until 2017. In 2018, it was ousted by Leonardo.
Sources: The Pope Francis effect: ‘Francesco’ now Italy’s most popular baby name, How many babies are named…? – Istat