How to say it
pri · SCIL · la
prɪˈsɪl.ə
Feminine
Priscilla
Ancient, venerable
What it means
From the Latin priscus, 'ancient' or 'venerable'; an early Christian figure.
Priscilla comes from the Latin priscus, 'ancient' or 'venerable,' a diminutive that reads as 'little wise one.' In the New Testament she is an early leader of the church alongside her husband Aquila. Elvis Presley's Priscilla keeps it familiar. Cilla and Pris are the shorts. Said prih-SIL-uh.
How to spell Priscilla
The standard spelling is Priscilla. Common variants include Pricilla, Priscila, Prisila, but Priscilla is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #127 in 1940, currently #544 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Cilla, Pris.
- Worth knowing
An early church leader in the New Testament; also Priscilla Presley.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Priscilla Presley American actress and businesswoman, former wife of Elvis Presley
Spelling variants
- Pricilla
- Priscila
- Prisila
Names with the same feeling
See Priscilla from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Priscilla mean?
- From the Latin priscus, 'ancient' or 'venerable'; an early Christian figure.
- What does Priscilla mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Priscilla means "Ancient, venerable." Priscilla comes from the Latin priscus, 'ancient' or 'venerable,' a diminutive that reads as 'little wise one.' In the New Testament she is an early leader of the church alongside her husband Aquila. Elvis Presley's Priscilla keeps it familiar. Cilla and Pris are the shorts. Said prih-SIL-uh.
- How do you pronounce Priscilla?
- Priscilla is pronounced prɪˈsɪl.ə. Say it as pri-SCIL-la, with the stress on the "scil" syllable.
- How do you spell Priscilla?
- The standard spelling is Priscilla. Common spelling variants include Pricilla, Priscila, Prisila.
- Is Priscilla a boy or girl name?
- Priscilla is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Priscilla?
- Priscilla ranked #544 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.