"of great value, beloved, cherished"
Origin: Latin via Old French
Language: English
Precious
Pronunciation: [ pr-EHSH-uhs ]
Does Precious flow with your last name?
A West African gift name — literally 'of great value'
African
Nigerian
African American
American
Ghanaian
Traditional
Spiritual
Gentle
Elegant
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Precious
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"highly valued gift"
Origin: English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the 2009 film 'Precious' directed by Lee Daniels, which depicted a story of severe child abuse — some parents may want to consider this
The Story of Precious
Precious comes from the Latin 'pretiosus' (of great price or value) via Old French 'precios.' As a given name, it belongs to the tradition of virtue and quality names popular in English-speaking West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, where names expressing gratitude or the value of a child are common. It parallels names like Blessing, Favour, and Gift in expressing how parents feel about their child.
Precious has been widely used in Nigeria and Ghana since at least the 1980s, part of a broader English-language naming tradition in anglophone West Africa. In the United States, it gained mainstream attention from the 2009 film 'Precious' (based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire).
In West African (especially Nigerian) culture, names carry deep meaning about a child's arrival and worth. Precious reflects the joy of a child's birth — literally naming them as something of great value. This naming practice reflects Yoruba, Igbo, and other West African traditions where names tell a story.
Historical Record
Precious first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 18,649 babies have been named Precious in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Precious is past its peak , currently ranked #2,562 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Precious is a top-50 girls' name in Nigeria, reflecting its deep roots in West African naming traditions
- The name appears in Nigerian proverbs and literature as a metaphor for something irreplaceable
Precious in Other Languages
French
Precieuse
Italian
Preziosa
Spanish
Preciosa
Portuguese
Preciosa
Popularity Over Time
#2,562
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1996
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Precious
P
Precious Achiuwa
Athlete
2000
Nigerian-American NBA basketball player with the New York Knicks
P
Precious Chikwendu
Other
Nigerian model and activist known for advocacy work
P
Precious (Claireece Jones) Fictional
Other
Fictional protagonist of the 2009 Academy Award-winning film 'Precious' and the novel 'Push' by Sapphire
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Compare Precious with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,562
- Total SSA Count
- 69
- Cultural Origins
- African Nigerian African American American Ghanaian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Precia
P
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Precious
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Precious is also used as a boy name, ranked #17551.
View Precious as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Precious
What does the name Precious mean?
"of great value, beloved, cherished" (from Latin via Old French). "highly valued gift" (from English). Precious comes from the Latin 'pretiosus' (of great price or value) via Old French 'precios.' As a given name, it belongs to the tradition of virtue and quality names popular in English-speaking West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, where names expressing gratitude or the value of a child are common. It parallels names like Blessing, Favour, and Gift in expressing how parents feel about their child.
What is the origin of the name Precious?
Precious has Latin via Old French, English, African, Nigerian, African American, American, and Ghanaian origins. In Latin via Old French, it means "of great value, beloved, cherished". In English, it means "highly valued gift".
Is Precious a boy or girl name?
Precious is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2562. As a boy name, it is ranked #17551. Precious is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Precious?
Precious is pronounced pr-EHSH-uhs.
How popular is the name Precious?
Precious is currently ranked #2562 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Precious?
Common nicknames for Precious include Precia.
What are good middle names for Precious?
Popular middle name pairings include Precious Grace, Precious Joy, Precious Hope, Precious Faith, Precious Love, Precious Pearl, and Precious Marie.
What are good sibling names for Precious?
Names that pair well with Precious as siblings include Blessing, Favour, Destiny, Gift, Mercy, Emmanuel, and Miracle.
How many syllables does Precious have?
Precious has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Precious a common or rare name?
Precious is an uncommon name, ranked #2562 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Precious
Precious is a girl name with African, Nigerian, African American, American, and Ghanaian origins . The name means "of great value, beloved, cherished" in Latin via Old French .
Is Precious a boy or girl name? Precious is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,562 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #17,551. Precious is more commonly used as a girl name.
Precious is currently ranked #2,562 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Precious has 3 syllables and is pronounced pr-EHSH-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Precious include Precia and P. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis