Girl name · Latin
Priscilla
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: ancientPriscilla is a girl's name that comes from Latin and means "ancient". It is used in English and Italian.
- Meaning
- Ancient
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Girl
- US rank
- #544 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Priscilla
As a girl's name, Priscilla comes from Latin and means "ancient". It is used in English and Italian.
In Italian, say pree-SHEEL-lah. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Priscilla on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Priscilla on 4 lists.
“Ancient; Latin. Teacher and tentmaker, Acts 18”
From Biblical names, women of the New Testament
“A Mayflower passenger's name, sweet and old-fashioned”
From Funny names for turkeys, girl turkey names (for hens)
“Ancient; Latin. Say pree-SHEEL-lah”
From Italian girl names, italian girl names that work in English
“Ancient; Latin. Little form of Prisca; Acts 18”
From Roman names, roman female names from family names and cognomina
How popular is Priscilla?
- US rank in 2025
- #544
- 555 babies, 345 per million girls
- Best rank
- #127 in 1940
- Most babies: 1,988 in 1942
- Babies since 1880
- At least 122,796
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 286 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 265 per million |
| 1900s | 320 per million |
| 1910s | 414 per million |
| 1920s | 676 per million |
| 1930s | 801 per million |
| 1940s | 1,251 per million |
| 1950s | 740 per million |
| 1960s | 566 per million |
| 1970s | 590 per million |
| 1980s | 932 per million |
| 1990s | 805 per million |
| 2000s | 520 per million |
| 2010s | 347 per million |
| 2020s | 299 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #476 | #527 | #577 | #618 | #563 | #622 | #714 | #650 | #613 | #544 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Priscilla
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- PriscilaAncient (Latin, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
Middle names for Priscilla
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More girl names from Latin
- LauraLaurel tree (Latin, girl)
- OliviaOlive tree (Latin, girl)
- CarinaDear, beloved (Latin, girl)
- EmiliaRival, striving to equal (Latin, girl)
- FloraFlower, blossom (Latin, girl)
- MarinaOf the sea (Latin, girl)
- ReginaQueen (Latin, girl)
- ValentinaStrong, healthy (Latin, girl)
- CelesteHeavenly, of the sky (Latin, girl)
- ClaraClear, bright (Latin, girl)
Priscilla: common questions
What does the name Priscilla mean?
Priscilla comes from Latin and means "ancient".
Is Priscilla a boy or girl name?
Priscilla is mainly a girl's name.
Where does the name Priscilla come from?
Priscilla comes from Latin and means "ancient". Today it is used in English and Italian.
How popular is the name Priscilla?
Priscilla ranked #544 in the US in 2025, with 555 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Priscilla?
Forms of Priscilla with the same meaning and origin include Priscila (Spanish).
What middle names go with Priscilla?
Middle names that flow well with Priscilla include Esme, Gwen, Hope, Lark and Naomi. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.