Declining since 1989, #7,885 for girls today.
Popularity of Pricilla since 1883
Babies named Pricilla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 13 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 28 |
| 1910s | 36 |
| 1920s | 113 |
| 1930s | 96 |
| 1940s | 281 |
| 1950s | 287 |
| 1960s | 399 |
| 1970s | 442 |
| 1980s | 843 |
| 1990s | 908 |
| 2000s | 732 |
| 2010s | 225 |
| 2020s | 58 |
Meaning & origin
Pricilla is a rare variant spelling of Priscilla, itself a name of Latin origin meaning 'ancient'. First recorded in 1883, it has never achieved widespread use. Its peak year was 1990, but since 1989 it has been in steady decline. Currently ranked 7,885 in 2025, it occurs in roughly 1 in 123,636 births. The name's trajectory reflects a falling trend, with no top states recording notable usage. As a minor variant, Pricilla appeals to parents seeking a less common alternative to the better-known Priscilla.
Pricilla appears to be a variant spelling of Priscilla, a Latin diminutive of the Roman family name Priscus, derived from the word priscus ('ancient', 'old'). The name Priscilla was used in the New Testament, contributing to its adoption among English speakers. Pricilla emerged as a respelling likely in the 19th century, though it has always been far less common than the standard form.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cilla, Prissy, Cilly
Sibling names for Pricilla
Names that share Pricilla's style, for a brother or sister.
