The namePriscilla
Priscilla is a Roman name found in the New Testament. It was most popular in America around 1940.
- Girl's name
- Latin
Meaning
Priscilla is a diminutive of Prisca, from the Latin priscus, "ancient, venerable".
Origin
Latin.
History
Priscilla and her husband Aquila were companions of Saint Paul. In the United States the name reached 127th in 1940. Priscilla Presley made it famous.
Famous people named Priscilla
- Priscilla Presley, actress
- Priscilla Chan, philanthropist
- Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, film
Popularity of the name Priscilla
Priscilla in the United States
Priscilla was most popular in the United States in the 1940s, with 18,165 births over the decade, 15% of all recorded babies named Priscilla. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 1942. Half of all babies named Priscilla in the United States were born before 1966, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 469 births a year on average, against 584 in the five years before.
Priscilla in the United Kingdom
Priscilla was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 274 births over the decade, 33% of all recorded babies named Priscilla. Half of all babies named Priscilla in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 43 births a year on average, against 25 in the five years before.
Priscilla in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Priscilla
Names from the same generation as Priscilla, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Priscilla? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Priscilla with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Priscilla side by side with the name of your choice.
Priscilla in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Priscilla mean?
Priscilla is a diminutive of Prisca, from the Latin priscus, "ancient, venerable".
What is the origin of the name Priscilla?
Latin.
Is Priscilla a girl's or a boy's name?
Priscilla is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Priscilla?
In 2024, Priscilla was the 616th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 484 births.
What are the variants of the name Priscilla?
Variants and related names of Priscilla include Prescilla, Prescillia and Prisca.
What are good sibling names for Priscilla?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Rosa, Marina, Julie and Veronica for a sister, Marco, Paul, Tony and Sergio for a brother.
Who are famous people named Priscilla?
Priscilla Presley, actress; Priscilla Chan, philanthropist; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, film.