Frances

Frances is the feminine form of Francis. Up until the 17th century, Francis was a unisex name, like Terry or Chris. Why "they" suddenly decided that a girl ought to have an "e" in her Frances is just one of life's little mysteries. The name has been in steady use since the 17th century, but is currently in a popularity slump. It was a top 100 name for baby girls in the U.S. until the 1960's. One notable Frances was Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American saint. Another was author Frances Hodgson Burnett, who wrote A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. Yet another was Frances Farmer.