Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Priscilla
GirlLatin· “ancient”
- Meaning
- ancient
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- prih-SIH-luh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #544
- US babies 2025
- 555
- Best rank
- #127 (1940)
- Peak year
- 1942
Meaning and origin of Priscilla
Priscilla is a Latin name that means “ancient”.
Priscilla is a Roman name, a diminutive of Prisca, from the Latin priscus, meaning ancient or venerable. In the New Testament, Priscilla and her husband Aquila were early Christian missionaries and companions of Saint Paul, which gave the name lasting religious use. The Puritans favored it, and it came to America with early settlers; Priscilla Mullins of the Mayflower is remembered in Longfellow's poem The Courtship of Miles Standish. Later, Priscilla Presley made it familiar to a new generation. It feels refined and a bit vintage. Cilla and Priss are the traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Priscilla 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 #127 in 1940, and the most babies received it in 1942, when 1,988 were named Priscilla. In 2025, 555 babies were named Priscilla, and it ranked #544 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #260 in 1920, #169 in 1950, #187 in 1980, #273 in 2000, #486 in 2010, and #544 in 2025. Of the 122,796 US girls named Priscilla since records began, 15% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 16,006 babies. Since 2010, 8,979 more have been named Priscilla.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Maryann, Faye, Sondra, Kay, and Joann.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Priscilla ranked highest in Nevada, Arizona, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #281 | 10 |
| Arizona | #314 | 23 |
| California | #356 | 93 |
| Arkansas | #364 | 9 |
| Missouri | #370 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Priscilla is usually pronounced prih-SIH-luh, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with P and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Priscilla
A few middle names that flow with Priscilla: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Priscilla
Similar names
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eh-STEL-uh
“star” · Latin
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mar-SEL-uh
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AN-juh-luh
“angel, messenger” · Latin
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Camilla Girl
kuh-MIH-luh
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Michaela Girl
mih-KAY-luh
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Estrella Girl
ehs-TREH-yuh
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Drusilla Girl
droo-SIH-luh
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Ursula Girl
UR-suh-luh
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kuh-MEE-luh
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Maria Girl
muh-REE-uh
“form of Mary; meaning uncertain” · Latin
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Mariah Girl
muh-RY-uh
“form of Maria, meaning uncertain” · Hebrew
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Joanna Girl
joh-AN-uh
“God is gracious” · Latin
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Lists that include Priscilla
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Priscilla mean?
Priscilla is a Latin name that means “ancient”.
What is the origin of the name Priscilla?
Priscilla has Latin roots. Priscilla is a Roman name, a diminutive of Prisca, from the Latin priscus, meaning ancient or venerable.
Is Priscilla a popular name?
Yes. Priscilla ranked #544 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Priscilla a boy or girl name?
Priscilla is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Priscilla?
Priscilla is usually pronounced prih-SIH-luh. 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