Girl Name · Latin Origin
Priscilla
Priscilla is a name with real weather behind it — generations of use, but no dust. The name's literal sense — "Ancient, venerable" — is the kind of small story a child grows into rather than out of. It comes out of the Latin naming tradition, where it accumulated centuries of literary and family use before crossing into broader English use. Our reviewers flagged Priscilla as a strong "first introduction" name: it teaches and reads cleanly in print, on a name tag, and over the phone.
Popularity-wise, Priscilla lives in the top 500 on the latest SSA charts — familiar without being overused. Its trajectory has been steady rather than spiky, which tends to predict longer cultural staying power than a viral spike would. Stylistically it reads clean and unfussy, equally workable in a board meeting or a kindergarten roll call. Other names that frequently appear on the same shortlists include Prescilla, Priscella, Presley; we cover all of them, plus middle-name pairings, further down.
Priscilla meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Ancient, venerable
Origin: Latin naming roots help connect Priscilla to related Latin baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Priscilla as P·R·I·S·C·I·L·L·A, with 9 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Priscilla is familiar without being overly common in the Top 500 tier.
Priscilla variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Priscillaa, Priscillae, Priscillay, Priscill.
- Nicknames: Prisc and P.
- Middle names: Pair Priscilla with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Priscilla middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Prescilla, Priscella, Presley, Precious, Percell — full picks on the sibling names for Priscilla guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Priscilla? Browse our names like Priscilla guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Priscilla
What does the name Priscilla mean?
Priscilla means "Ancient, venerable" and is of Latin origin.
What is the origin of Priscilla?
Priscilla originates in Latin naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Priscilla?
Priscilla has 9 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Priscilla a boy's or girl's name?
Priscilla is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Priscilla in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Priscilla sits in the Top 500 tier — familiar without being overly common.
What names are similar to Priscilla?
Names that share Priscilla's sound and style include Prescilla, Priscella, Presley, Precious, Percell.
What middle names pair well with Priscilla?
Good middle-name fits for Priscilla pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Priscilla is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Priscilla is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Priscilla?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Priscilla share its rhythm without rhyming — Prescilla, Priscella, Presley all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.