Precious

Pronunciation: [ pr-EHSH-uhs ]

Girl Name #2,562 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A West African gift name — literally 'of great value'

African Nigerian African American American Ghanaian

Traditional Spiritual Gentle Elegant Classic

Meaning & Origin

"of great value, beloved, cherished"

Origin: Latin via Old French

Language: English

"highly valued gift"

Origin: English

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Precious

Precious Achiuwa

Athlete

2000

Nigerian-American NBA basketball player with the New York Knicks

Precious Chikwendu

Other

Nigerian model and activist known for advocacy work

Precious (Claireece Jones) Fictional

Other

Fictional protagonist of the 2009 Academy Award-winning film 'Precious' and the novel 'Push' by Sapphire

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

Pairs Well With

Precious Grace Precious Joy Precious Hope Precious Faith Precious Love Precious Pearl Precious Marie

Sibling Names

Blessing Favour Destiny Gift Mercy Emmanuel Miracle

Also a Boy Name

Precious is also used as a boy name, ranked #17551.

View Precious as a boy name →

Similar Names

Cecilia Prudence Princess Temperance Priscila Essence Cadence Kaydence

Playground Safety

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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 and P.

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.