Princeton Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Princeton originates from Old English, meaning 'Prince's town'. It evolved from Princetun to Princetown before arriving at its modern form. The name is associated with nobility and has historical significance due to Princeton University. It does not have biblical relevance. The name gained popularity in the 18th century and is currently viewed positively, symbolizing academic excellence. Notable individuals with the name include Woodrow Wilson and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The name Princeton is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Princeton has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Princeton' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4858th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4046th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1872nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1609th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 459th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Princeton' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Princeton"
Pronunciation
/ˈprɪn(t)sən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Princeton likely derives from the Old English 'princ' meaning 'prince' combined with 'ton' meaning 'town' or 'settlement', suggesting a town associated with nobility or a prince.
Meaning
Prince's town
Language Evolution
Princetun (Old English), Princetown (Middle English), Princeton (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the United States in the 18th century, particularly due to the establishment of Princeton University in 1746, which contributed to the town's recognition and prominence.
Variants & Derivatives
Prince, Princetown
Modern Popularity & Image
Princeton is often associated with academic excellence and prestigious education due to the presence of Princeton University, and it carries a positive image of intellect and cultural heritage.
Famous People
Woodrow Wilson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Alan Turing
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Princeton"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Princeton"
"Princeton" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4858th of 7552 | 37 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4046th of 10718 | 105 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1872nd of 16616 | 608 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1609th of 24088 | 1,359 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 459th of 23106 | 7,719 |
Regional Popularity of "Princeton" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
49.80% 1835th/3685 |
63.49% 2841st/4475 |
31.36% 1629th/5194 |
39.20% 2476th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
34.50% 1581st/4582 |
38.11% 1968th/5164 |
17.42% 1274th/7313 |
23.44% 1749th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
12.83% 511th/3984 |
14.60% 655th/4487 |
4.90% 334th/6822 |
13.15% 825th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Princeton" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Princeton"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Princeton" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.