Francine

Francine is a French feminine diminutive of Françoise, itself the French form of Frances, which derives from the Medieval Latin Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman" or "from Francia." The name ultimately traces back to the Germanic tribal name of the Franks, whose own name may mean "free" or refer to the francisca, a type of throwing axe associated with the people. Francine gained wider use in English-speaking countries during the twentieth century, carried along by the broader popularity of French-influenced names. Related forms include Frances, Francesca, Françoise, and Francesca.