Priscilla
Priscilla is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Ancient, venerable, or classic.
Origin and history
Priscilla is a classic female name derived from Priscus, a Roman family name meaning ancient or venerable. It gained widespread recognition through the New Testament as a prominent early Christian teacher alongside her husband Aquila. In the United States, it has been consistently used since the 19th century, peaking in popularity during the mid-20th century.
Popularity in the United States
122,796 babies in the United States have been named Priscilla since 1880. It ranks #323 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #594.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16.5 %)
- TX (13.4 %)
- NY (7.6 %)
- MA (5.8 %)
- FL (3.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 375 |
| 1890-1900 | 589 |
| 1900-1910 | 937 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,378 |
| 1920-1930 | 8,084 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,538 |
| 1940-1950 | 18,125 |
| 1950-1960 | 14,241 |
| 1960-1970 | 10,338 |
| 1970-1980 | 9,114 |
| 1980-1990 | 16,006 |
| 1990-2000 | 14,493 |
| 2000-2010 | 9,599 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,073 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,906 |
Famous people named Priscilla
- Priscilla Presley: Actress, Businesswoman
- Priscilla Chan: Pediatrician, Philanthropist
- Priscilla Lane: Actress, Singer
Nicknames
Prissy, Cilla, Pris
Fun facts
- In the New Testament, Priscilla (also known as Prisca) was a key missionary and teacher in the early church.
- The name became widely prominent in modern pop culture through Priscilla Presley, businesswoman and former wife of Elvis Presley.