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Home › Baby Names Directory › Purpose

Purpose

♂ Boy

Pronounced PUR-pus /ˈpɜːr.pəs/High

Meaning: The English word purpose, from Old French porpos, 'aim; intention.' As a given name it is a virtue name, chosen for the hope that a child's life will have direction and meaning.Medium

In 30 seconds: A virtue name with a clear aim: Purpose is the reason a life is lived (said 'PUR-pus').
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningThe English word purpose, from Old French porpos, 'aim; intention.' As a given name it is a virtue name, chosen for the hope that a child's life will have direction and meaning.
U.S. rank (2024)#13704 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 48

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320192024

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

Purpose is an English word-name from Old French porpos, 'aim; intention.' Virtue names have a long history in English — Hope, Faith, Constance — and modern American naming has extended the habit with words like Justice, Legend and Purpose. It is a plain, aspirational choice, and we note it as such (said 'PUR-pus').

In the U.S. it is very rare for boys. Rare, virtue-name, and modern.

Did you know? Purpose belongs to a growing family of American virtue names — Justice, Legend, Chosen. It states an intention for the child's whole life, which is a lot for a name to carry, and families choose it knowingly (said 'PUR-pus').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Purpose — English virtue/word-name; Old French porpos

Variations

Purpos

Nicknames

PurpPip

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Purpose…

Legend— a similar bold modern pick
Messiah— a like meaning-laden choice
Royal— a similar statement name
Tyrese— the same modern feel
Promise— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Purpose

By thememodernword-namevirtuerare
By meaningHopeGift / BlessingLife

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Purpose mean?

Purpose is the English word for aim or intention — the reason something exists. As a name it is a virtue name.

How do you pronounce Purpose?

It's said PUR-pus /ˈpɜːr.pəs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Purpose a boy or girl name?

Purpose is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Purpose?

Purpose is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.

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