Pryor

♀ Girl

Pronounced PRY-ur /ˈpraɪ.ər/High

Meaning: An English occupational surname from Middle English prior, the head of a priory or second-in-command of an abbey. Carried into first-name use; it leans to boys and to surname-style use generally, which we flag.Medium

In 30 seconds: A surname name with a crisp ring: Pryor comes from 'prior', the head of a priory (said 'PRY-ur'). It leans to boys, which we note.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningAn English occupational surname from Middle English prior, the head of a priory or second-in-command of an abbey. Carried into first-name use; it leans to boys and to surname-style use generally, which we flag.

U.S. rank (2024)#13091 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 56

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

Pryor is an English surname from Middle English prior, the head of a priory. Like many surnames it has crossed into first-name use, where it stays rare and reads modern and crisp. It leans to boys and to surname-style use; girls' use is newer, which we note (said 'PRY-ur').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and sharp.

Did you know? A prior ran a priory — the second-in-command under an abbot — and families who served one took the name. Comedian Richard Pryor made the surname a household word.

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Pryor — English occupational surname from Middle English prior

Variations

PriorPryerPryce

Nicknames

PryRyePip

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Pryor mean?

Pryor comes from the English surname meaning 'prior' — the head of a priory or an abbot's deputy.

How do you pronounce Pryor?

It's said PRY-ur /ˈpraɪ.ər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Pryor a boy or girl name?

Pryor is a surname name that leans to boys; girls' use is newer and rare, which we note.

How popular is Pryor?

Pryor is a very rare given name for girls in the U.S.