"prior, head of a priory or monastery"
Origin: Latin via Old English
Language: English
Pryor
Pronunciation: [ pr-EYE-er ]
Does Pryor flow with your last name?
A strong surname name made cool by a comedy legend
American
English
African American
Strong
Modern
Bold
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Pryor
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Pryor
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"superior, first in rank"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Pryor
See all →What the Pryor report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Pryor the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Pryor
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Pryor head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Pryor actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Pryor
Pryor is an anglicized variant of Prior, an occupational English surname given to someone who served as a prior — the head of a priory or monastery. The word derives from Latin 'prior' meaning former, superior, or elder. As a surname, Prior/Pryor was adopted by families connected to monasteries in medieval England. The surname became widely known through comedian Richard Pryor, and its use as a given name reflects the surname-as-first-name trend.
Pryor as a first name gained notice primarily through the legacy of Richard Pryor, the groundbreaking African American comedian and actor. The name carries a cool, edgy creative energy among parents who appreciate both his comedic genius and his raw honesty.
Richard Pryor (1940-2005) revolutionized stand-up comedy with brutally honest material about race, poverty, and addiction. His influence on comedy is so profound that many consider him the greatest stand-up comedian of all time.
Historical Record
Pryor first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 337 babies have been named Pryor in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Pryor is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,534 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Richard Pryor was ranked #1 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time in 2004
- Prior as an occupational surname dates to medieval England, when monasteries were central community institutions
Pryor in Other Languages
Latin
Prior
French
Prieur
English
Prior
Spanish
Prior
Popularity Over Time
#5,534
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Pryor
R
Richard Pryor
Entertainer
1940
Groundbreaking African American stand-up comedian and actor, widely regarded as the greatest stand-up comedian of all ti...
Groundbreaking African American stand-up comedian and actor, widely regarded as the greatest stand-up comedian of all time
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Rue
Boy
"rue plant, bitter herb"
#5,520
Tallon
Boy
"claw of a bird of prey"
#5,434
Jermiah
Boy
"God has appointed"
#5,421
Akaius
Boy
"virtuous, without wickedness"
#5,689
Landan
Boy
"long hill, ridge settlement"
#5,361
Compare Pryor with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,534
- Total SSA Count
- 17
- Cultural Origins
- American English African American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pry
Pry
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Pryor
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Pryor fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Pryor is also used as a girl name, ranked #18010.
View Pryor as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Pryor →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Pryor with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Pryor
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Pryor and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Pryor sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Rue
Boy
Latin via Old French origin
"rue plant, bitter herb"
#5,520 in US
Tallon
Boy
Old French origin
"claw of a bird of prey"
#5,434 in US
Jermiah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God has appointed"
#5,421 in US
Akaius
Boy
Ancient Greek origin
"virtuous, without wickedness"
#5,689 in US
Landan
Boy
Old English origin
"long hill, ridge settlement"
#5,361 in US
Horace
Boy
Latin hora (time) origin
"relating to time or the hours"
#5,423 in US
Mehki
Boy
Hebrew origin
"archangel name variant"
#5,657 in US
Zaiel
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God is my strength (from Azael root)"
#5,524 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Pryor's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pryor
What does the name Pryor mean?
"prior, head of a priory or monastery" (from Latin via Old English). "superior, first in rank" (from Latin). Pryor is an anglicized variant of Prior, an occupational English surname given to someone who served as a prior — the head of a priory or monastery. The word derives from Latin 'prior' meaning former, superior, or elder. As a surname, Prior/Pryor was adopted by families connected to monasteries in medieval England. The surname became widely known through comedian Richard Pryor, and its use as a given name reflects the surname-as-first-name trend.
What is the origin of the name Pryor?
Pryor has Latin via Old English, Latin, American, English, and African American origins. In Latin via Old English, it means "prior, head of a priory or monastery". In Latin, it means "superior, first in rank".
Is Pryor a boy or girl name?
Pryor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5534. As a girl name, it is ranked #18010. Pryor is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Pryor?
Pryor is pronounced pr-EYE-er.
How popular is the name Pryor?
Pryor is currently ranked #5534 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Pryor?
Common nicknames for Pryor include Pry and Pry.
What are good middle names for Pryor?
Popular middle name pairings include Pryor James, Pryor Lee, Pryor Thomas, Pryor Alexander, and Pryor William.
What are good sibling names for Pryor?
Names that pair well with Pryor as siblings include Beckham, Lennox, Sloane, Remy, and Quinn.
How many syllables does Pryor have?
Pryor has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Pryor a common or rare name?
Pryor is an uncommon name, ranked #5534 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Pryor
Pryor is a boy name with American, English, and African American origins . The name means "prior, head of a priory or monastery" in Latin via Old English .
Is Pryor a boy or girl name? Pryor is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,534 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #18,010. Pryor is more commonly used as a boy name.
Pryor is currently ranked #5,534 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Pryor has 2 syllables and is pronounced pr-EYE-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Pryor include Pry and Pry. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Latin via Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
P
Names Starting with P
More boy names like Pryor
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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