12 Beautiful baby names inspired by the late Pope Francis

As millions of faithful grieve the passing of the beloved Pope Francis, they might be reflecting on the many ways he touched everybody's lives. Through his humility, his tireless call for mercy, and his tender love for the most vulnerable, he gave witness to the joy of the Gospel. Yet among the things he cherished most deeply was the gift of children.

In his own words:

How fitting, then, that today — April 23 — is the feast of St. George, the very name Pope Francis was given at birth: Jorge Mario Bergoglio. As we remember this great saint, we also remember the Holy Father who bore his name and who reminded us, time and again, of the beauty of new life and the promise it holds.

In the quiet joy of naming a child, parents are invited to carry forward the values Pope Francis held so dear: compassion, mercy, courage, humility. These baby names, inspired by his life, his patron saints, and his profound love for all of God’s children, are one small but meaningful way to honor his legacy — and welcome new life with hope and grace.

We've chosen 12, as Pope Francis led the Church as Successor of Peter for just over 12 years, from March 13, 20213, to April 21, 2025.

This has to be the obvious choice as it is the name Pope Francis chose for himself, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi -- the beloved saint of humble simplicity, peace, and care for the poor and for all creation. By taking this name, Pope Francis signaled his desire for a Church that is poor in spirit and rich in mercy. Naming your son Francis (or any other variation, such as Francesco) is a direct tribute to the late Pontiff’s vision – it carries the hope that your little boy will grow up gentle, courageous in faith, and compassionate toward others, just as St. Francis (and Pope Francis) taught the world.

Jorge was Pope Francis’s given name at birth (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), and it is the Spanish form of George. Long before he became Pope Francis, he was Fr. Jorge, a humble parish priest and teacher who served the people of Buenos Aires with a big heart. Choosing Jorge for your baby boy not only honors the man behind the papal title, but also invokes St. George, the courageous dragon-slaying saint. In fact, Pope Francis always marked St. George’s feast day with acts of charity and joy. By naming your son Jorge especially if you have Hispanic heritage, you pay homage to the Pope’s personal roots and pray that your little one grows up with the same down-to-earth kindness and bravery in faith. Of course, you could always opt for the version of Jorge used in your own culture.

As a Jesuit priest, Pope Francis was profoundly shaped by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the 16th-century founder of the Pope's own Jesuit order. Ignatius (a name meaning “fiery one”) reflects a zeal for God’s glory and a life of service – traits that Pope Francis displayed throughout his ministry. A baby boy named Ignatius would share a name with one of Pope Francis’ great spiritual heroes. It’s a distinctive name that honors the Jesuit heritage: St. Ignatius taught the importance of finding God in all things and serving wherever the need is greatest. By choosing this name, you hope your son will grow up with a fiery love for the Lord and a generous heart, much like the saint who inspired Pope Francis’s own journey of faith.

This traditional name comes from the Latin word for “pious” or devout, and it calls to mind a long line of saints and popes. For Pope Francis, Pius is reminiscent of St. Pius of Pietrelcina – better known as the beloved Padre Pio – whom he deeply admired for his humility and compassion. (In 2016, Pope Francis even had Padre Pio’s relics brought to the Vatican as a sign of the importance of mercy in that Jubilee Year.) He also had a deep devotion to Pius X, his predecessor from the time of World War I, and made one of his last public appearances to pray before that pope's tomb. Naming your son Pius is a prayer that he, too, will be devoted to God and neighbor. It also harks back to the holiness of past Popes Pius, and it reflects Pope Francis’ own reverence for simple, devout faith. A little boy with this name will carry a reminder of the Pope’s gentle piety and the mercy that defined his ministry.

Naming your baby boy in honor of St. Joseph is also a way to honor Pope Francis, who called the patriarch of the Holy Family his own "dearest friend." Under Pope Francis' guidance, the whole Church grew in its devotion to St. Joseph, particularly during the Year of St. Joseph that Pope Francis declared in 2020.

As he's the 266th Successor of St. Peter, it makes sense that naming a baby after the first pope is also an honor for Pope Francis. But beyond the Apostle, there's another Peter who Francis loved: St. Peter Faber. On his first birthday as pope (his 77th), Francis canonized this fellow Jesuit: Faber was a “modest, sensitive man with a profound inner life,” Pope Francis said in January 2014.

Frances is the feminine form of Francis, making it a perfect way to honor Pope Francis in a daughter. It carries the same spirit as St. Francis of Assisi – a spirit of charity, love for the lowly, and joy in God’s creation – but in a form fitting for a little girl. This name has been borne by saintly women as well (like St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who devoted her life to serving immigrants and the poor, a cause so close to Pope Francis’ heart). By naming your daughter Frances, or Francesca, you give her a connection to Pope Francis’ gentle spirit and to the legacy of compassionate service that he championed.

Clare (meaning “bright” or “clear”) is a name made famous by St. Clare of Assisi, the close friend and follower of St. Francis. Together, St. Clare and St. Francis started a revolution of holiness through simplicity and trust in God. Naming your little girl Clare -- or Chiara, the Italian version -- invokes that radiant faith. It subtly honors Pope Francis as well, by celebrating the Franciscan tradition he held in such esteem. A baby Clare will share a name with a woman of courageous faith who left everything to follow Christ. In choosing this name, you hope your daughter will shine with the same light of devotion, humility, and bravery that St. Clare — and indeed Pope Francis — so loved.

Mercy was a cornerstone of Pope Francis’ teachings and example. He often reminded us that “God never tires of forgiving us” and called the Church to be a “field hospital” offering mercy to all. In 2016, he even declared a special Jubilee Year of Mercy to emphasize how central forgiveness and compassion are to Christian life. Naming a baby girl Mercy is a beautiful way to remember that emphasis. It’s a virtue name that speaks of kindness, forgiveness, and love – the very qualities Pope Francis wanted us to extend to one another. Your daughter named Mercy will carry with her a reminder to always be compassionate and loving, echoing one of the late Pope’s greatest hopes for the world.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis encouraged us never to lose hope, even in the face of difficulties. He spoke often of the joy of the Gospel and the hope we have because Christ is alive and at work in the world -- and, of course, he named this year a Jubilee Year of Hope. The name Hope captures that message in a single, uplifting word. By naming your daughter Hope, you make a joyful declaration of trust in God’s promises. It’s a name that will remind her – and everyone around her – that light conquers darkness and that perseverance in faith will carry us through trying times. In the context of Pope Francis’ legacy, Hope is a tribute to his uplifting presence; even as the world grieves his passing, a child with this name reassures us that new joy is on the horizon.

Sofia (or Sophia) means “wisdom” in Greek, a virtue Pope Francis often displayed in guiding the Church. It’s a popular name in Pope Francis’ native tongue of Spanish (as well as in Italian), reflecting a bit of his heritage and the global reach of his influence. Choosing Sofia for your baby girl honors the gentle wisdom and understanding that the Pope brought to every situation – from deep theological discussions to simple daily encounters. The name also calls to mind Holy Wisdom, an ancient title for the divine wisdom of God. By giving your daughter this beautiful name, you celebrate the importance of seeking wisdom and truth, values that Pope Francis urged us all to cherish in our lives.

And finally, of course...

Pope Francis had a deep and abiding devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. From the very beginning of his papacy, he entrusted his ministry to her care — often seen stopping quietly before her image to pray. One of his most beloved titles for her was Our Lady Undoer of Knots, a devotion he brought with him from his time of studies in Germany, which speaks to Mary’s tender role in helping us untangle the messiness of life with grace and love. He also had a special reverence for Our Lady of Luján, the patroness of his homeland. Naming a daughter Mary is a timeless and powerful tribute, not only to the Mother of God, but to the motherly love that Pope Francis so often spoke of and relied on. It’s a name that carries peace, strength, and quiet faith — a reflection of the Pope’s own Marian heart.