Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Preston
BoyEnglish, Old English· “priest's town”
- Meaning
- priest's town
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- PREHS-tuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #299
- US babies 2025
- 1,131
- Best rank
- #114 (2006)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Preston
Preston is an English and Old English name that means “priest's town”.
Preston is an English place name built from the Old English preost, "priest," and tun, "enclosure, settlement," so it means roughly "priest's town." Several places in England carry it, the best known being the city of Preston in Lancashire. As with many English towns, the place name became a family surname and later a given name. Preston has a polished, preppy sound that fits with names like Sutton, Grayson and Weston. It feels established without being old-fashioned, and Pres is a simple nickname. The name also works well as a middle name for families who want a crisp two-syllable surname style.
Popularity over time
Preston has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #114 in 2006, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 3,797 were named Preston. In 2025, 1,131 babies were named Preston, and it ranked #299 nationally. That is 54% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #251 in 1920, #292 in 1950, #277 in 1980, #142 in 2000, #131 in 2010, and #299 in 2025. Of the 122,958 US boys named Preston since records began, 25% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 25,049 babies. Since 2010, 32,934 more have been named Preston.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kaleb, Oscar, Jorge, Omar, and Cristian.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Preston ranked highest in Mississippi, Louisiana, and District of Columbia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #135 | 24 |
| Louisiana | #152 | 34 |
| District of Columbia | #159 | 6 |
| West Virginia | #180 | 11 |
| Alabama | #184 | 32 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Preston over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Preston is usually pronounced PREHS-tuhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with P and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Preston
A few middle names that flow with Preston: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Preston
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Lists that include Preston
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Preston mean?
Preston is an English and Old English name that means “priest's town”.
What is the origin of the name Preston?
Preston has English and Old English roots. Preston is an English place name built from the Old English preost, "priest," and tun, "enclosure, settlement," so it means roughly "priest's town." Several places in England carry it, the best known being the city of Preston in Lancashire.
Is Preston a popular name?
Yes. Preston ranked #299 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Preston a boy or girl name?
Preston is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Preston over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Preston?
Preston is usually pronounced PREHS-tuhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings