Given name
Priscilla
“from an ancient family”·“ancient”
Priscilla is a form of Prisca. Interpretations include “ancient” and “from an ancient family” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Original LatinPrisca
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Latin use, Priscilla carries the interpretation “from an ancient family.” Priscilla is a form of Prisca. Interpretations include “ancient” and “from an ancient family” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Latin.
How it developed
Priscilla is used as a form of Prisca.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
In the Bible
In the Bible, the name Priscilla appears in Acts 18:18, Acts 18:24.
- Acts 18:18
- Acts 18:24
From biblical name research
Priscilla through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 123,040
- 244 boys · 122,796 girls
- Most popular year
- 1942
- 1,998 babies
- 2025
- 555
- #544 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −15%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 555 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 544 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 15.1% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 1,988 in 1942. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (93). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 87,905 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Priscilla’s family of names
In English usage, Priscilla has a diminutive in Cece. In Latin usage, Priscilla has a later derivative in Прискиллэ. In English usage, Priscilla has a conventional equivalent in the Portuguese form PRISCILA.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Priscilla has relatives in 10 languages. Lines run from its Latin roots to each of them.
14 related names in 10 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 20
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 3
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 9
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
- PriscilaPortuguese
- Illaequivalent
- PriscilleFrench
- ПрисциллаRussian
- Прискиллэderivative · ady
- ΠρίσκιλλαGreek
- PryscyllaPolish
- PirihiraMāori
Show 1 moreShow fewer
See also 5
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Priscilla
- Priscilla PresleyAmerican actress and businesswomanborn 1945
- Priscilla ChanAmerican pediatrician and philanthropistborn 1985
- Priscilla Cooper TylerFirst Lady of The United States from 1842 to 18441816–1889
- Cilla BlackEnglish singer and media personality (1943–2015)
- Priscilla LaneAmerican actress (1915–1995)
- Priscilla PointerAmerican actress (1924–2025)
- Priscilla Lopes-SchliepCanadian athletics competitor (born 1982)
- Priscilla DeanAmerican actress (1896–1987)
- Priscilla GnetoFrench judokaborn 1991
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Priscilla, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Valerie
“strong and valiant”
>99% girls
Rosemary
“the dew of the sea” · “resembling a bitter rose”
>99% girls
Rebecca
“enchantingly beautiful, captivating, snare”
>99% girls
Carmen
“a beautiful song”
5% boys · 95% girls
Julia
“one who is youthful; daughter of the sky”
>99% girls
Presentación
>99% girls
Maryja
Maryja is a feminine given name from Latin, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew. It is used in Polish.
>99% girls
Lillian
“resembling the lily”
>99% girls