MANILA — The name ‘Francis’ saw a dramatic rise in popularity in the Philippines in 2015, a trend attributed to the historic visit of Pope Francis to the country that year, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Based on PSA records, more than 15,479 babies, across both sexes, were registered with the name “Francis” in 2015, marking a 128 percent increase from the previous year.
By comparison, only 6,700 babies were named Francis in 2014, and just over 9,200 in 2013.
When similar names such as “Frances”, “Francisca”, “Francesca”, “Francesco”, and “Francisco” are included in the count, the total climbs to 19,120 births in 2015.
“Kapansin-pansin na sa taong 2015, meron talagang significant increase noong bumisita si Pope Francis sa ating bansa. Karamihan ng population natin ay Roman Catholics at iyong pagpapangalan ng ating mga anak ay sometimes nakadepende tayo sa mga pangalan ng nasa Bible. Isa ‘yan sa mga kultura na rin siguro ng mga Pilipino,” said Engr. Marizza Grande, Assistant National Statistician of the PSA.
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Among those inspired by the pope was the Lorbes family from Bicol. Parents Gerard and Marilen named their third child Francis upon hearing news of Pope Francis’ impending visit to the country.
This also continues a personal tradition with their firstborn Gerard Benedict named after Pope Benedict XVI.
Marilen recalled being pregnant in late 2014 when she learned the pope was coming to the Philippines.
Their son, Gregory Francis, was born on December 28, 2014, just days before the pope arrived on January 15, 2015.
“Nasa Naga kami that time. So, iyong creating awareness doon sa church na bibisita po si Pope Francis, naglagay sila ng standee doon sa basilica. A day before ako nanganak, nag-ikot ako, kami sa basilica, tumayo kami doon sa standee. Sabi ko, ‘ayun si Pope Francis’ sabi ko andito magpa-picture tayo. Tapos malaki pa iyong tiyan ko noon. Day after noon, nanganak ako. Sabi ko, iyon na talaga iyong ipapangalan natin,” she shared.
Beyond admiration for the pope’s name, the Lorbes family was deeply moved by his compassion and advocacy, particularly for the vulnerable, something they found personally meaningful as their son was later diagnosed with autism.
“Iyong anak kasi namin, may speech delay siya. May autism siya. Noong pag-visit ni Pope Francis, naging interested na kami sa way of advocacy niya, especially sa mga vulnerable. And they (autism spectrum) are part of vulnerable community,” Marilen said.
“Nakaka-inspire kasi from our leader mismo ng church, pinapakita niya iyong welcoming sa mga ganitong part of the society na hindi masyadong napapansin,” she added.
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