Declining since 2020, #4,249 for boys today.
Popularity of Priest since 1971
Babies named Priest per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 89 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 20 |
| 2000s | 116 |
| 2010s | 141 |
| 2020s | 190 |
Meaning & origin
The name Priest is a modern English word name that directly invokes the religious office of a spiritual leader. Its recorded use as a given name began in 1971, and it has remained rare. In 2025, Priest ranked 4,249th in the United States, with approximately 1 in 71,170 boys receiving the name that year. Its popularity peaked in 2019, following a trajectory of modest interest that has since declined. As a word name with strong religious connotations, it appeals to parents seeking a name with spiritual weight, though it has not gained widespread use and has no traditional nickname or variant forms.
Priest is a rare given name derived directly from the English occupational title, which itself traces back to Old English 'prēost' and Latin 'presbyter', from Greek 'presbyteros' meaning 'elder'. As a personal name, it emerged in the late 20th century, likely as a modern coinage inspired by the word's strong connotation of religious authority and spirituality. Its use as a first name remains very uncommon.
Sibling names for Priest
Names that share Priest's style, for a brother or sister.
