Priscilla is a female given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Roman family name "Aemilius," which was also used as a cognomen, or nickname, for members of the gens Aemilia, one of the most prominent patrician families in ancient Rome.
The name Priscilla has several possible meanings depending on its interpretation. One common meaning is "ancient" or "old fashioned," which refers to someone who is wise beyond their years. Another interpretation is "elegant" or "delicate," suggesting a graceful and refined individual.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures named Priscilla. In the New Testament of the Bible, Priscilla was the wife of Aquila, an early Christian missionary. Together, they traveled with the Apostle Paul and helped to establish churches in Corinth and Ephesus. St. Priscilla is now recognized as a saint by both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
In addition to its biblical associations, the name Priscilla has also been used throughout history in various cultures. In France, for example, it was a popular girl's name during the Middle Ages. Today, Priscilla remains a relatively uncommon but distinctive choice for girls' names around the world.
Overall, Priscilla is an elegant and historic name with a rich backstory rooted in ancient Roman culture and biblical tradition. Its unique meaning makes it a memorable choice for parents looking for a name that combines classic charm with modern sophistication.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends regarding the name Priscilla in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around 1940, there was a steady increase in the number of births named Priscilla. This period saw a significant rise, with the lowest year being 26 births in 1880 and peaking at 1970 births in both 1940 and 1941.
However, after reaching its peak during World War II, there was a decline in the number of babies named Priscilla. From the mid-1940s to the early 1950s, the annual births with the name Priscilla fluctuated between 1300 and 2000.
Throughout most of the 1960s and 1970s, the popularity of the name Priscilla continued to decrease. The lowest point was reached in 1975, with only 722 births named Priscilla that year.
The trend began to reverse in the late 1970s, with an increase in the number of babies named Priscilla each year until reaching a peak of 1812 births in 1988. This period of increased popularity lasted until around 1993.
Since then, there has been another decline in the usage of the name Priscilla. In recent years (2015 to 2023), the number of babies named Priscilla has hovered around 400 to 600 births per year.
In conclusion, based on these statistics, we can see that the name Priscilla has gone through periods of popularity and decline throughout its history in the United States. Despite fluctuations, it has remained a relatively consistent choice for parents over time, with a total of 121,736 babies named Priscilla born between 1880 and 2023.