Princess

What does Princess mean?

The name Princess carries a clear, literal sense of royal status. It comes from the idea of a female royal figure and so evokes images of nobility, ceremony and distinction. The original Latin root is princeps, meaning leader or first, which filtered through Old French into the English word.

As a given name it feels declarative and playful at once. It can sound glamorous and ceremonial for a child, while also suggesting warmth and affection when used as a family pet name. Depending on context the name sits between a title and a word name, giving it a bold, unmistakable tone.

Historical Context

The word princess entered English via Old French and ultimately from Latin princeps, which related to being first or chief. Historically the term described the daughter of a monarch or a woman of princely rank. Over time the common noun shifted into occasional use as a personal name, particularly in the modern era when word names and virtue names became fashionable.

As a given name its use is largely recent and informal. In some families it began as an affectionate nickname and then became a legal name. The name sits alongside other word names that draw from ranks and titles, such as Prince or names inspired by nobility. Usage varies by culture and context, and where it appears as a formal name it often reflects a fond, playful or deliberately bold choice rather than a long historical tradition of use as a personal name.

Popularity of Princess over time

In 2025, Princess was given to 209 girls in the US. Princess has declined in usage over the last 20 years, but remains an uncommon girls' name in the US.

What do parents think of Princess?