Pricilla is a unique and elegant name of Latin origin. It means "ancient" or "primitive," which reflects its rich history dating back to the Roman Empire. The name was likely derived from the Latin word "prisca," meaning ancient.
In the Bible, Pricilla appears as the wife of Aquila, who was a companion of the Apostle Paul and a fellow tentmaker. They were prominent figures in the early Christian church and are mentioned several times in the New Testament (Acts 18:24-26, Romans 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:19). The name Pricilla may have been inspired by this biblical figure.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Pricilla. One of the most famous is Priscaolina, a Sicilian saint from the 4th century who was known for her piety and miracles. She is celebrated as a patron saint of difficult pregnancies and childbirth.
Today, Pricilla remains an uncommon but beautiful name that carries with it a sense of history and elegance. While its usage has waned in recent years, it continues to be chosen by parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughters.
The name Pricilla has been given to newborn babies in the United States for over a century, with the first recorded birth occurring in 1883. Throughout the years, the popularity of this name has varied significantly.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Pricilla was not particularly common. Between 1883 and 1926, there were fewer than 15 births per year on average. However, starting in 1927, the number of newborn girls named Pricilla began to increase steadily.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Pricilla's popularity grew significantly, reaching a peak of 42 births in 1947. This trend continued into the 1950s, with an average of around 30 births per year during this decade.
The 1960s and 1970s saw a further increase in the popularity of the name Pricilla. During these two decades, there were over 40 births per year on average. The peak of this era occurred in 1978, with a total of 54 newborn girls named Pricilla.
However, starting in the early 1980s, the popularity of Pricilla began to decline once again. Although there were still over 60 births per year on average during the 1980s and early 1990s, this number decreased significantly by the end of the century.
In recent years, the name Pricilla has become quite rare in the United States. Between 2010 and 2022, there were fewer than 30 births per year on average. The lowest point was reached in 2020, with only 9 newborn girls named Pricilla.
In total, over the span of 140 years, from 1883 to 2023, there have been a total of 4,445 newborn girls named Pricilla in the United States. While this name has seen periods of popularity and decline throughout history, it remains a unique and classic choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughter.