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Prescilla

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How to Pronounce Prescilla

Pronounced prih-SIL-ah /prɪˈsɪlə/Medium

Meaning: Prescilla is a spelling variant of Priscilla, a Roman name from 'priscus', meaning ancient, former or venerable. Priscilla appears in the New Testament as an early Christian teacher, which carried the name through the centuries. The Pres- spelling reflects the everyday American pronunciation.Medium

In 30 seconds: Prescilla is a spelling of Priscilla, a Latin name meaning 'ancient' or 'venerable'. It stayed uncommon (said prih-SIL-ah).

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Origin MediumLatin

MeaningPrescilla is a spelling variant of Priscilla, a Roman name from 'priscus', meaning ancient, former or venerable. Priscilla appears in the New Testament as an early Christian teacher, which carried the name through the centuries. The Pres- spelling reflects the everyday American pronunciation.

U.S. rank (2011)#14488 ↗ Rising

2011 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1991

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,037

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Prescilla is a spelling of Priscilla, a diminutive of the Roman Priscus, 'ancient, venerable'. The New Testament Priscilla helped keep the name alive; the Pres- spelling mirrors how many Americans said it.

Prescilla was a modest variant, appearing in small numbers through the century and reaching a slight peak around 1991 with only a few dozen girls a year, while Priscilla remained far more common.

Did you know? Prescilla respells Priscilla, whose Latin root 'priscus' means ancient or venerable; a Priscilla was an early Christian teacher in the New Testament.

Overall data confidence 62%

References - Prescilla / Priscilla — Latin priscus 'ancient'; spelling variant

Variations

PriscillaPrescilliaPrecillaPriscila

Nicknames

CillaPrissy

Famous Bearers

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If you like Prescilla…

Priscilla— the standard spelling of the name

Precilla— another spelling variant

Drusilla— a like Latin -illa name

Petula— a similarly popular pick

Paola— echoes that soft -la sound

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Prescilla mean?

Prescilla is a spelling of Priscilla, from the Latin 'priscus', meaning ancient or venerable.

How do you pronounce Prescilla?

It's said prih-SIL-ah /prɪˈsɪlə/, three syllables.

Is Prescilla a boy or girl name?

Prescilla is a girl's name.

Is Prescilla a popular name?

No, the Prescilla spelling was always uncommon, with a small peak in the early nineteen-nineties.