Prosper

Meaning & origin

Prosper is a Latin-derived virtue name with a straightforward meaning of prosperity and success. In modern U.S. records, it ranked 3,450 in 2025, with roughly 1 in 51,760 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak popularity occurred in 1881, the earliest year in Social Security data, though it fell out of common use in the 20th century. Since 1996, Prosper has been on a consistent upward trajectory, particularly notable in Texas, which recorded the highest usage among states. The name has never been common, but its revival reflects a growing interest in rare virtue names with Latin roots.

Derived from the Latin verb prosperare, meaning 'to cause to succeed' or 'to make happy.' The name was used sparingly among early Christians, often in reference to the virtue of prosperity. Saint Prosper of Aquitaine, a 5th-century theologian, helped popularize the name in religious contexts. In the English-speaking world, it was adopted occasionally by Puritans in the 17th century as a virtue name and has seen sporadic use since.