Declining since 2019, #5,399 for boys today.
Popularity of Pryor since 1881
Babies named Pryor per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2019, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Pryor's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 | 5 |
| 1910s | 0 | 40 |
| 1920s | 0 | 60 |
| 1930s | 0 | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 | 20 |
| 1950s | 0 | 11 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 6 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 50 |
| 2010s | 23 | 168 |
| 2020s | 33 | 119 |
Meaning & origin
Pryor is a rare English-origin name that has never been common in the United States. It first appeared in Social Security records in 1881, its peak year, when it ranked 5399th. Since then, its use has declined steadily; the trajectory shows falling popularity since 2019. In 2025, approximately 1 in 100,475 boys received the name. The name has no strong association with any state, as its top states list is empty. As a relatively obscure name derived from a surname or place name, Pryor offers a distinctive choice for parents drawn to vintage, underused names. Its similarity to the more familiar Prior may lead to occasional confusion, but its straightforward pronunciation and spelling keep it accessible.
Pryor is an English surname that developed as a variant of Prior, a name referring to a monastic official (from Latin prior, 'superior'). As a given name, it may also derive from a place name meaning 'pear tree' (Old English pyrige). The name saw modest use in the 19th century but has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Prior
Sibling names for Pryor
Names that share Pryor's style, for a brother or sister.
