"royal son; prince"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Prince
Pronunciation: [ pr-IHNS ]
Boy Name
#404 Most Popular
Rising
1 Syllable
One word, one name, royally charged with musical legend
English
American
African-American
Bold
Royal
Strong
Unique
Meaning & Origin
"first, chief"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the musician Prince Rogers Nelson (1958-2016) — generally positive, but the name carries overwhelming association with this singular artist
The Story of Prince
Prince comes directly from the Latin 'princeps', meaning 'first, chief, leader' — from 'primus' (first) and 'capere' (to take). In medieval Europe, 'prince' became the title for sons of kings and high noblemen. As a given name, Prince has been used in various communities, particularly in African-American culture, as an aspirational name conferring dignity and greatness upon the child.
Prince as a given name has appeared steadily in American records, particularly in African-American communities. After the death of the musician Prince in April 2016, the name saw a notable uptick as a tribute. The broader trend of aspirational royal titles as names (King, Duke, Royal) has lifted Prince's profile.
The musician Prince Rogers Nelson (1958-2016) redefined what the name means in modern culture — his singular genius, gender-fluid performance style, and prolific output make 'Prince' inseparable from his legacy.
Fun Facts
- Prince Rogers Nelson released over 39 studio albums and is considered one of the greatest musicians in history
- Prince legally changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol from 1993-2000, becoming 'The Artist Formerly Known as Prince'
- The Latin 'princeps' also gives us the words 'principal' and 'principle'
Prince in Other Languages
French
Prince
German
Prinz
Italian
Principe
Spanish
Príncipe
Japanese
プリンス
Portuguese
Príncipe
Famous People Named Prince
P
Prince Rogers Nelson
Musician
1958
Legendary American musician, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for Purple Rain
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #404
- Total SSA Count
- 797
- Cultural Origins
- English American African-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Pri
Pry
Priie
Prinie
Pairs Well With
Prince Alexander
Prince James
Prince Emmanuel
Prince Michael
Prince David
Prince Anthony
Prince William
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Prince is also used as a girl name, ranked #70422.
View Prince as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Prince
What does the name Prince mean?
"royal son; prince" (from Latin). "first, chief" (from Latin). Prince comes directly from the Latin 'princeps', meaning 'first, chief, leader' — from 'primus' (first) and 'capere' (to take). In medieval Europe, 'prince' became the title for sons of kings and high noblemen. As a given name, Prince has been used in various communities, particularly in African-American culture, as an aspirational name conferring dignity and greatness upon the child.
What is the origin of the name Prince?
Prince has Latin, English, American, and African-American origins. In Latin, it means "royal son; prince". In Latin, it means "first, chief".
Is Prince a boy or girl name?
Prince is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #404. As a girl name, it is ranked #70422. Prince is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Prince?
Prince is pronounced pr-IHNS.
How popular is the name Prince?
Prince is currently ranked #404 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Prince?
Common nicknames for Prince include Pri, Pry, Priie, and Prinie.
What are good middle names for Prince?
Popular middle name pairings include Prince Alexander, Prince James, Prince Emmanuel, Prince Michael, Prince David, Prince Anthony, and Prince William.
What are good sibling names for Prince?
Names that pair well with Prince as siblings include Royal, King, Duke, Reign, Legend, and Heaven.
How many syllables does Prince have?
Prince has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Prince a common or rare name?
Prince is a popular name, ranked #404 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Prince
Prince is a boy name with English, American, and African-American origins . The name means "royal son; prince" in Latin .
Is Prince a boy or girl name? Prince is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #404 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,422. Prince is more commonly used as a boy name.
Prince is currently ranked #404 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Prince has 1 syllable and is pronounced pr-IHNS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Prince include Pri, Pry, Priie, and Prinie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Prince include Princeton . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.