"to thrive, to succeed, prosperous"
Prosper
Pronunciation: [ pr-AHSP-er ]
A Latin virtue name meaning to thrive and flourish
Meaning & Origin
"according to hope, fortunate"
The Story of Prosper
Prosper derives from the Latin prosperus meaning fortunate, prosperous or doing well, from the phrase pro spe meaning according to hope. The name was popular among early Christians and French Huguenots. Saint Prosper of Aquitaine was an influential 5th-century theologian and disciple of Augustine. The name carries an inherently optimistic meaning — to thrive and succeed.
Prosper has been a French and Latin name for centuries, used widely in French-speaking West Africa where it remains popular today. It is experiencing a revival in Western countries as parents seek vintage virtue names with positive meanings.
In Francophone African countries — Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo — Prosper is a popular and beloved name, carrying connotations of success and divine blessing.
Fun Facts
- Prospero is the magician protagonist of Shakespeare The Tempest
- Saint Prosper of Aquitaine defended Augustine theology of grace in the 5th century
Prosper in Other Languages
Famous People Named Prosper
Prosper Merimee
Writer
1803
French author who wrote Carmen, the story that inspired Bizet opera of the same name
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,689
- Total SSA Count
- 49
- Cultural Origins
- French English African Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Prosper is also used as a girl name, ranked #8824.
View Prosper as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Prosper
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About the Name Prosper
Prosper is a boy name with French, English, African, and Christian origins . The name means "to thrive, to succeed, prosperous" in Latin .
Is Prosper a boy or girl name? Prosper is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,689 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #8,824. Prosper is more commonly used as a boy name.
Prosper is currently ranked #2,689 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Prosper has 2 syllables and is pronounced pr-AHSP-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Prosper include Pros. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.