"royal daughter, daughter of a king"
Origin: Latin via Old French
Language: English
Princess
Pronunciation: [ pr-IHNS-ehs ]
Girl Name
#1,145 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A title made into a name — bold, proud, regal
English
American
Nigerian
Filipino
Bold
Playful
Modern
Unique
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Some may find it overly expectation-setting, associating the bearer with entitlement
- Can be a challenging name to carry professionally in formal Western contexts
The Story of Princess
Princess comes from Old French princesse, the feminine form of prince, itself from Latin princeps meaning first, chief, or leader from primus meaning first and capere meaning to take. As a title, Princess refers to a daughter or wife of a monarch. As a given name, it carries aspirational and affectionate meaning — many parents use it as a term of endearment that has become a formal name, particularly in West African and Filipino naming traditions.
Princess is a consistently popular name in Nigeria, Ghana, and among diaspora communities from these regions. In the Philippines it is a traditional name used for generations without the pretension it carries in Western contexts. In the US it entered the top 1000 around 2003 and has remained there, particularly popular in African American communities where aspirational names hold deep cultural significance.
In West African naming traditions, aspirational names like Chief, Prince, Princess, Blessing, and Gift are given to children to set a high standard and honor the child's inherent value. In the Philippines, Princess is simply a well-established common name without the connotation of excessive privilege it might carry elsewhere.
Fun Facts
- Princess is a top-100 name in Nigeria where aspirational and title names are a long-standing naming tradition
- In the Philippines Princess has been a common given name for decades and carries no connotation of pretension
- The name Princess entered the US SSA top 1000 in 2003 and has remained there consistently since
Princess in Other Languages
French
Princesse
Italian
Principessa
Spanish
Princesa
Filipino
Princess
Portuguese
Princesa
Famous People Named Princess
P
Princess Nokia
Musician
1992
American rapper and singer from New York known for politically charged music celebrating identity and heritage
P
Princess Diana
Royalty
1961
Princess of Wales, humanitarian, and one of the most photographed and beloved public figures of the 20th century
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,145
- Total SSA Count
- 211
- Cultural Origins
- English American Nigerian Filipino
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Priss
Princy
Pairs Well With
Princess Grace
Princess Divine
Princess Marie
Princess Faith
Princess Amara
Princess Joy
Princess Pearl
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Princess is also used as a boy name, ranked #14980.
View Princess as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Princess
What does the name Princess mean?
"royal daughter, daughter of a king" (from Latin via Old French). Princess comes from Old French princesse, the feminine form of prince, itself from Latin princeps meaning first, chief, or leader from primus meaning first and capere meaning to take. As a title, Princess refers to a daughter or wife of a monarch. As a given name, it carries aspirational and affectionate meaning — many parents use it as a term of endearment that has become a formal name, particularly in West African and Filipino naming traditions.
What is the origin of the name Princess?
Princess has Latin via Old French, English, American, Nigerian, and Filipino origins. In Latin via Old French, it means "royal daughter, daughter of a king".
Is Princess a boy or girl name?
Princess is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1145. As a boy name, it is ranked #14980. Princess is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Princess?
Princess is pronounced pr-IHNS-ehs.
How popular is the name Princess?
Princess is currently ranked #1145 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Princess?
Common nicknames for Princess include Priss and Princy.
What are good middle names for Princess?
Popular middle name pairings include Princess Grace, Princess Divine, Princess Marie, Princess Faith, Princess Amara, Princess Joy, and Princess Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Princess?
Names that pair well with Princess as siblings include Prince, Diamond, Royal, Glory, Treasure, Angel, and Destiny.
How many syllables does Princess have?
Princess has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Princess a common or rare name?
Princess is an uncommon name, ranked #1145 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Princess
Princess is a girl name with English, American, Nigerian, and Filipino origins . The name means "royal daughter, daughter of a king" in Latin via Old French .
Is Princess a boy or girl name? Princess is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,145 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14,980. Princess is more commonly used as a girl name.
Princess is currently ranked #1,145 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Princess has 3 syllables and is pronounced pr-IHNS-ehs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Princess include Priss and Princy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.