A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Prudence since 1880
Babies named Prudence per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1943, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Prudence's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 132 |
| 1890s | 179 |
| 1900s | 217 |
| 1910s | 444 |
| 1920s | 634 |
| 1930s | 547 |
| 1940s | 952 |
| 1950s | 551 |
| 1960s | 350 |
| 1970s | 537 |
| 1980s | 118 |
| 1990s | 70 |
| 2000s | 250 |
| 2010s | 785 |
| 2020s | 490 |
Meaning & origin
Prudence is a classic virtue name that has seen a modest revival in recent decades. According to U.S. Social Security data, the name first appeared on record in 1880, when it reached its peak rank of 2,099. After a period of decline, it has been on an upward trajectory since 1998, suggesting renewed interest in old-fashioned virtue names. As of 2025, Prudence is given to roughly 1 in 18,059 newborns, making it a rare but distinctive choice. The name has been particularly favored in states such as Oregon, Pennsylvania, and California, where parents often seek names with historical depth. Its association with qualities like wisdom and caution gives it a timeless appeal for those valuing substance over trendiness.
Prudence is derived from the Latin word 'prudentia,' meaning 'foresight' or 'wisdom.' It was used as a virtue name by the Puritans in the 16th and 17th centuries, becoming part of a broader trend of naming children after moral qualities. The name has appeared in English literature, notably in Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales' and as a character in Shakespeare's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor.'
Where Prudence is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Prudence” around the world
Where Prudence lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Prue, Prudy
Variants: Prudencia, Prudentia, Pru
Sibling names for Prudence
Names that share Prudence's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Patience, Faith, Hope, Charity, Grace, Agatha, Constance, Hester, Hortense, Letitia, Temperance, Delight, Electa, Faithe, Magdeline, Permelia, Pleasant, Providence, Sister, Honour, Pal, Prudie, Worthy, Wealthy, Chairty, Ludella, Novice, Temprence
Brothers: Tobias, Caleb, Jasper, Felix, Simon, Ambrose, Freeman, Justus, Noble, Valentine, Ebenezer, Constant, Eustace, Lawyer, Squire, Zebediah, Boniface, Ascension
