Franco is a common surname in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sephardic Jewish communities deriving from the word "Frank", in reference to the Germanic tribe of the Franks, who invaded Gaul during the Migration Period. It is also commonly used as a given name in Italian. Surname Politicians Federico Franco, former president of Paraguay Francisco Franco, Spanish general, dictator and head of state, “caudillo” of the Government Gustavo Franco, Brazilian central banker Itamar Franco, former president of Brazil João Franco, prime minister of Portugal Julio César Franco, former vice president of Paraguay Manuel Franco, former president of Paraguay Rafael Franco, former president of Paraguay Artists Ani DiFranco, American musician Buddy DeFranco, American jazz clarinetist Daniel Franco, Los Angeles fashion designer Diana Franco, Colombian Actress Fulvia Franco, Italian actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder Giacomo Franco, Italian etcher and publisher Hernando Franco, Spanish composer James Franco, Dave Franco, and Tom Franco, American actors Jesús Franco and Ricardo Franco, Spanish directors and brothers José Franco (poet), Panamanian poet Larry J. Franco, American film producer Pippo Franco, Italian actor, comedian, television presenter and singer Tony DeFranco, Canadian musician Sports Danny Franco (born 1973), Israeli basketball coach in the Israeli Basketball Premier League Eduardo Franco Raymundo (1934–1996), Spanish chess master Felipe Franco (born 1982), Brazilian water polo player Godwin Franco (born 1985), Indian footballer Guillermo Franco (born 1976), Mexican footballer Guillermo Franco (footballer, born 1983), Argentine footballer John Franco (born 1960), American baseball pitcher Julio Franco (born 1958), baseball player from the Dominican Republic Leryn Franco (born 1982), Paraguayan javelin thrower and model Maikel Franco (born 1992), Dominican baseball player Manuel Franco (jockey) (born 1994), Puerto Rican professional jockey Matt Franco (born 1969), American baseball player Wander Franco (born 2001), Dominican baseball player for the Tampa Bay Rays Others El Franco Lee (1949–2016), American politician Franklin Franco (1936–2013), historian and academic from the Dominican Republic Julio Franco Arango (1914–1980), Colombian Roman Catholic bishop Marielle Franco, also known as Marielle Da Silva, (1979–2018), Brazilian activist Ramón Franco (1896–1938), pioneer aviator and brother of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco Salvador Franco (died 3 January 2021), Venezuelan detainee Veronica Franco (1546–1591), Venetian courtesan and poet Given name Franco Agamenone, Argentine tennis player Franco Albini, Italian architect Franco Alfano, Italian composer Franco Amatori, Italian economic historian Franco Assetto, Italian sculptor and painter Franco Baresi, Italian footballer Franco Battiato, Italian singer and songwriter Franco Bolignari (1928–2020), Italian singer Franco Bonera, Italian