Prudence
Prudence is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Good judgment, caution, or foresight.
Origin and history
Prudence is an English virtue name derived from the Latin word prudentia, meaning foresight or wisdom. It gained popularity among the Puritans in the 17th century along with other virtue names like Mercy and Patience. In contemporary times, it remains a rare and distinctive classical choice in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
6,256 babies in the United States have been named Prudence since 1880. It ranks #2153 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1611.
States where it is most popular
- NY (32.4 %)
- CA (12 %)
- PA (10.5 %)
- MA (7.8 %)
- IL (7.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 132 |
| 1890-1900 | 179 |
| 1900-1910 | 217 |
| 1910-1920 | 444 |
| 1920-1930 | 634 |
| 1930-1940 | 547 |
| 1940-1950 | 952 |
| 1950-1960 | 551 |
| 1960-1970 | 350 |
| 1970-1980 | 537 |
| 1980-1990 | 118 |
| 1990-2000 | 70 |
| 2000-2010 | 250 |
| 2010-2019 | 785 |
| 2020-2029 | 490 |
Famous people named Prudence
- Prudence Farrow: Author, Meditation Teacher
- Prudence Glynn: Journalist, Fashion Editor
Nicknames
Pru, Prue
Fun facts
- Prudence was part of the 17th-century wave of virtue names adopted to encourage moral qualities.
- The famous Beatles song Dear Prudence was written about Prudence Farrow, sister of Mia Farrow.