Preston
Preston: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpɹɛs.tən/
Meaning and origin of Preston
Root meaning: “priest”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English prēost (“priest”) + tūn (“settlement”). Doublet of Prestatyn.
How popular is Preston?
Since 1880, 799 girls and 122,958 boys in the U.S. have been named Preston (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3012 in 1930. Its highest rank for boys was #114 in 2006. In 2025 it ranked #299 for boys, with 1,141 babies given the name.
Names similar to Preston
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Preston
Sister and brother names that share Preston's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Preston FAQ
What does the name Preston mean?
Preston traces back to a root meaning "priest". A male given name transferred from the surname. From Old English prēost (“priest”) + tūn (“settlement”). Doublet of Prestatyn.
What is the origin of the name Preston?
Preston is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Preston?
Since 1880, 799 girls and 122,958 boys in the U.S. have been named Preston (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3012 in 1930. Its highest rank for boys was #114 in 2006. In 2025 it ranked #299 for boys, with 1,141 babies given the name.
Is Preston a boy or girl name?
Preston is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 799 girls and 122,958 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.