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Prince

♂ Boy

Pronounced PRINS /prɪns/High

Meaning: From Old French 'prince' and Latin 'princeps' meaning 'first one' or 'chief,' referring to a royal heir; used as a given name reflecting status and nobilityHigh

In 30 seconds: Prince is a bold word name with instant royal connotations, derived from Latin meaning 'first one.' It has been used as a given name across many cultures, carrying aspirational nobility.
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Origin HighLatin, English
MeaningFrom Old French 'prince' and Latin 'princeps' meaning 'first one' or 'chief,' referring to a royal heir; used as a given name reflecting status and nobility
U.S. rank (2025)#447 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births703 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 23,587

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201918802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Prince comes from Old French prince and Latin princeps, meaning 'first one' or 'chief.' The title entered English from Old French after the Norman Conquest and was used to denote royal heirs. Its use as a given name reflects a long tradition in African-American naming culture of aspirational and regal names.

As a first name, Prince has been used across diverse communities, often as a statement of dignity and aspiration. In the United States it gained enormous cultural visibility through the musician Prince, who was born Prince Rogers Nelson. The name remains in use today, often in African-American and African communities.

Did you know? The musician Prince Rogers Nelson — known simply as Prince — kept this name in the global spotlight for decades. His 1993 decision to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol made 'the artist formerly known as Prince' one of the most discussed naming moments in pop culture history.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Prince — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PrinsPrinze

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Prince (musician) (1958–2016)
    American musician and pop culture icon born Prince Rogers Nelson

If you like Prince…

Royal— shares the same aspirational royal title name category
King— equally bold royal title used as a given name
Reign— another regal word name with similar aspirational power
Duke— shares the noble title as first name tradition

Frequently Asked

What does the name Prince mean?

Prince comes from Latin 'princeps' meaning 'first one' or 'chief,' referring to a royal heir. It is used as a given name reflecting nobility and aspiration.

How do you pronounce Prince?

Prince is a single syllable pronounced PRINS /prɪns/.

Is Prince a popular boys' name?

Prince is used consistently in the United States, particularly in African-American communities, and gained cultural prominence through the musician Prince.

Is Prince a word name?

Yes. Prince is an English word (from Latin princeps) meaning a royal heir, used directly as a given name in the tradition of aspirational title names.