Preston is a masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "PREOST", which means "priest". The name was originally used as an occupational surname for priests or clerics in medieval England.
The popularity of the name Preston has varied over time. In the United States, for instance, it was most commonly used during the mid-20th century but has since declined in usage. However, it remains a popular choice among some parents today.
There is also a town named Preston in Lancashire, England, which may have contributed to the name's popularity. The town was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was likely named after the Old English word for "priest's farm".
Overall, Preston is a name with a rich history dating back centuries and a meaning that reflects its religious origins. It remains an attractive choice for parents looking for a unique yet timeless name for their son.
The name Preston has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with fluctuations in its popularity over time. According to the provided statistics, the earliest recorded birth of a child named Preston in the U.S. was in 1916, with six such births that year.
The number of babies named Preston fluctuated throughout the early to mid-20th century, with periods of higher and lower popularity. For instance, there were ten births in 1930, followed by a decrease to six births each in 1942 and 1947. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw a consistent five births per year for Preston.
Starting in the mid-1970s, there was an increase in popularity for the name Preston, with a significant spike in 1983, when eleven babies were named Preston. This trend continued through the late 1980s and early 1990s, reaching a peak of twenty-four births in 2000.
While there was some variation in popularity in subsequent years, Preston remained a popular choice for parents. In recent years, the number of babies named Preston has fluctuated between ten and twenty-two births per year, with the most recent data showing sixteen births in 2022 and seventeen in 2023.
In total, there have been 771 recorded births of children named Preston in the United States since 1916. This demonstrates that while the popularity of the name has varied over time, it has remained a consistent choice for parents throughout the decades.