Franz is about the same image as
Francis, and as likeable. I agree that it's sort of a "perfect little name" ... I can tell you what I think it's not. It's sort of like
Bernard only not as dorky, dated, or difficult. It's sort of like
Jack, only not as alpha extrovert yuppie. It's sort of like
Rowan, only more classic and clearly masculine. And it's sort of like
Liam or
Ambrose, only not Brit-chic or anti-butch.
Only thing about it is that it's distinctively
German, and so it has the potential issues that almost all distinctively-something rare names have for Americans. (Which aren't big issues, but would matter for me because my married last name is a lot like
Franz.
Franz Mylastname would be more than distinctive, it'd be funny. However I googled it and there are some people with that name!)
Anyway, I like
Francis better because it's more familiar and I feel like I can say it right for sure.
Franz could either rhyme "plans," or approximately rhyme "lawns," and I would not be sure which to say.
This message was edited 8/5/2012, 1:08 PM