Home › Baby Names Directory › Priest

Priest

♂ Boy

Pronounced PREEST /ˈprist/High

Meaning: From the word priest — Greek presbyteros, 'elder' — a religious leader; an occupational word-nameMedium

In 30 seconds: Solemn and strong: Priest is the word for a religious leader — bold, devout, and distinctive. A title-and-word name with gravity.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumGreek, English

MeaningFrom the word priest — Greek presbyteros, 'elder' — a religious leader; an occupational word-name

U.S. rank (2025)#4352 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births24 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 561

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

Priest comes from the word priest — via Old English from Greek presbyteros, 'elder' — a religious leader. An occupational and devout word-name (and surname), it has a solemn, distinctive strength.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, religious-leader at the root, and weighty.

Did you know? Priest comes from Greek presbyteros, 'elder' — and is also a surname (Maxi Priest the singer); as a given name it carries devout, weighty resonance.

Overall data confidence 72%

Oxford English Dictionary — priest — word origin

Variations

Preist

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Priest…

Bishop— a fellow religious title-name

Deacon— a companion church word-name

Cross— another devout word-name

Sage— a fellow wise word-name

Explore names like Priest

By themeenglish greek word-name

By meaningLeader

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Priest mean?

Priest is the word for a religious leader, from Greek presbyteros, 'elder'.

How do you pronounce Priest?

It's said PREEST /ˈprist/ — a single syllable.

Is Priest a boy or girl name?

Priest is a boy's name.

How popular is Priest?

Priest is a rare name in the U.S.