Without revealing the answers, I'm 90% sure of the answers to the first and third questions. On the original name question, I haven't a clue.
I think it was Francis of Assisi!
His original name: Giovanni di Bernardone because his mother wanted him to be a great religious leader. His father who was away when he was born was furious when his got home and renamed him Francisco because he wanted him to go into business and because he loved everything to do with France.
Obviously Francis of Assisi's mother got it right.
Yep, you got it, Michele.
His mom wanted to name him after John the Baptist but pop nixed the idea. The name "Francis," of course, means "of France."
Interestingly enough, Francis' mom was French!
Commenting by HaloScan
