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Home › Baby Names Directory › Prentiss

Prentiss

♂ Boy

Pronounced PREN-tiss /ˈprɛn.tɪs/High

Meaning: From the English surname Prentiss (Prentice), 'an apprentice; a learner' (from Old French aprentis). An occupational surname carried into first-name use.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp surname name: Prentiss means 'an apprentice; a learner' (said 'PREN-tiss'). Sturdy and distinctive.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname Prentiss (Prentice), 'an apprentice; a learner' (from Old French aprentis). An occupational surname carried into first-name use.
U.S. rank (2024)#10620 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1943
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,724

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194318872024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Prentiss (also Prentice) is an English surname, 'an apprentice; a learner,' from Old French aprentis. Carried into given-name use, it reads sturdy and distinctive — rare in the U.S. (said 'PREN-tiss').

It appears only rarely in U.S. records. Rare, surname-style, and crisp.

Did you know? Prentiss comes from an occupational surname meaning 'an apprentice; a learner' — a crisp, distinctive name with a workmanlike, down-to-earth root (said 'PREN-tiss').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Prentiss — English surname 'apprentice; learner'

Variations

PrenticePrentisPrentys

Nicknames

PrentTiss

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Prentiss mean?

Prentiss is an English surname meaning 'an apprentice; a learner.'

How do you pronounce Prentiss?

It's said PREN-tiss /ˈprɛn.tɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Prentiss a boy or girl name?

Prentiss is a boy's name.

How popular is Prentiss?

Prentiss is a rare name in the U.S.

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