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Home › Baby Names Directory › Purpose

Purpose

♀ Girl

Pronounced PUR-pəs /ˈpɜr.pəs/High

Meaning: From the word purpose — 'a reason, an intention, a goal, a sense of meaning' (from Latin proponere, 'to put forward')Medium

In 30 seconds: A sense of meaning: Purpose is the virtue word-name — 'a reason; an intention'. Aspirational, warm, and bold.
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Origin MediumEnglish, Latin
MeaningFrom the word purpose — 'a reason, an intention, a goal, a sense of meaning' (from Latin proponere, 'to put forward')
U.S. rank (2024)#5731 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births22 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 115

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202420082024

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 comes from the word purpose — 'a reason, an intention, a goal; a sense of meaning, resolve, and direction' (from Latin proponere, 'to put forward, to propose'). An aspirational virtue word-name in the tradition of Faith, Hope, and Destiny, popular in Nigerian and Christian families (celebrating a child born for a purpose).

It registers thinly in records. Rare, a-reason-and-intention at the root, and aspirational.

Did you know? Purpose means 'a reason, an intention, a goal; a sense of meaning and direction' (from Latin proponere, 'to put forward') — an aspirational virtue word-name, popular in Nigerian and Christian families.
Overall data confidence 60%
References — purpose — word origin

Variations

Purpoze

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Purpose…

Destiny— a fellow virtue word-name
Faith— a companion virtue word-name
Blessing— a fellow Nigerian virtue name
Precious— another virtue/value word-name

Explore names like Purpose

By themeenglishlatinword-namevirtue

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Purpose mean?

Purpose is the word for 'a reason, an intention, a goal; a sense of meaning'.

How do you pronounce Purpose?

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

Is Purpose a boy or girl name?

Purpose is used mainly as a girl's name (occasionally unisex).

How popular is Purpose?

Purpose is a rare name in the U.S.

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