Paul Keenan
Italy – The name ‘Francesco’ has become the most popular baby name in the country following the choice of that name by the Pope. A study undertaken by Tor Vergata University in Rome found that, while ‘Francesco’ has long been a popular name across Italy, in the months since the election of the new Pontiff, the name has surged ahead of all others. Additionally, the study revealed that 300 streets and parks have been renamed in honour of the Pontiff, bringing to some 2,000, the number of public places bearing the name ‘Francesco’.
