'Francophone' originates from French, specifically the word 'francophone', where the prefix 'franco-' meant 'French' and 'phone' (from Greek 'phōnē') meant 'voice' or 'sound'.

'Francophone' was formed in French from the combining form 'franco-' + Greek-derived '-phone' and was adopted into English largely with the same form and sense (referring to French-speaking people or regions).

Initially, it meant 'speaking French' or 'French-voiced', and over time it has remained focused on the idea of 'French-speaking' people or regions with little change in core meaning.