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Princeton

♂ Boy

Pronounced PRIN-stun /ˈprɪns.tən/High

Meaning: From the English place name Princeton, composed of prince (from Latin princeps, meaning first or chief) and ton meaning settlement or town in Old English; the town in New Jersey gave its name to Princeton University, founded 1746High

In 30 seconds: An aspirational American place-name meaning prince's town, Princeton combines regal connotation with Ivy League prestige, popular among parents who want a name that signals high ambition.
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Origin HighEnglish
MeaningFrom the English place name Princeton, composed of prince (from Latin princeps, meaning first or chief) and ton meaning settlement or town in Old English; the town in New Jersey gave its name to Princeton University, founded 1746
U.S. rank (2025)#653 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births422 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,250

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719502025

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

History & Origin

Princeton is an English place name composed of prince (from Latin princeps, meaning first citizen or chief) and the Old English tun (settlement or estate). Princeton, New Jersey was settled in the early 18th century and named Prince-Town, likely honoring Prince William of Orange. The Battle of Princeton in 1777 was a pivotal American Revolutionary War victory for George Washington.

As a given name, Princeton began appearing in the United States in the late 20th century as part of the broad aspiration-naming trend that also brought names like Harvard and Kingston. It carries connotations of Ivy League education, regal lineage, and high ambition. In African American communities Princeton has been particularly embraced as an aspirational name reflecting educational hopes. It has charted in the U.S. top 500 in the 2000s–2020s.

Did you know? Princeton University — formally the College of New Jersey until 1896 — is named after Prince William of Orange, Netherlands. The town itself was named Prince-Town in the early 18th century to honor him.
Overall data confidence 88%
U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Prince

Nicknames

PrincePrinc

Famous Bearers

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If you like Princeton…

Kingston— shares the same regal place-name + -ton structure and aspirational American energy
Sterling— fellow aspirational name with the same polished, prestigious connotation
Easton— another -ton place-name used as a given name with the same clean sound
Hunter— shares the bold, aspirational American given-name quality and similar two-syllable energy

Frequently Asked

What does the name Princeton mean?

Princeton means prince's town, from prince (Latin princeps) and Old English tun (settlement). It refers to the New Jersey town and its famous university.

How do you pronounce Princeton?

It is said PRIN-stun /ˈprɪns.tən/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Princeton a popular baby name?

Princeton has been in the U.S. top 500 boys' names since the 2000s, particularly popular as an aspirational name in African American communities.

Why do parents choose the name Princeton?

Parents choose Princeton for its combination of regal meaning (prince's town), Ivy League educational prestige, and strong, confident sound.