Preston Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Preston Name Meaning

Fact: The Preston Docks were once a major hub for trade and now offer a vibrant waterfront with various activities​

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A Deep Dive

Preston Overview

Meaning

Priest’s estate, priest’s estate

Gender

Boy

Origin

English

Etymology

Derived from Old English, meaning “priest’s town” or “village held by the church.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈprɛstən/

Popularity

Preston is appreciated in English-speaking countries, including the USA and the UK. In 2023, Preston ranked #212 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Traditional, Cool, Vintage

Associated Traits

Noble, reliable, refined

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with religious heritage due to its meaning related to the church.
A Deep Dive

Preston Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Prestan, Prestyn, Prestin, Presten, Prestun, Perston, Presson, Priston, Prestwich

Common Nicknames

Presy, Press, Preso, Prezzy, Prest, Prestie, Presto, Presty, P.R.

Diminutives

Pres, Tony, Prez, P.J., P.T.

Famous People

  • Preston Sturges
    (American Director)
  • Preston Tucker
    (American Inventor)
  • Preston Brooks
    (American Politician)
  • Preston Foster
    (American Actor)
  • Preston Pearson
    (American Football Player)
  • Preston Wilson
    (American Baseball Player)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Preston Burke
    ("Grey's Anatomy," TV Series)
  • Preston Lodge
    ("Clueless," Film)
  • "Preston Pig"
    (Children's TV Series)
  • Preston B. Whitmore
    ("Atlantis: The Lost Empire," Animated Film)
  • Preston Tucker
    ("Tucker: The Man and His Dream," Film)

Places

  • Preston City
    (Lancashire, England)
  • Preston Park
    (East Sussex, England)
  • Preston River
    (Western Australia, Australia)
  • Preston Park
    (Brighton and Hove, England)

What Is the Meaning of Preston?

Preston translates to “priest’s town” or “settlement of priests.” It often signifies a connection to spirituality, community, and leadership qualities.

What Is the Origin of The Name Preston?

Preston traces its roots to English heritage, derived from the Old English words “preost” (priest) and “tun” (settlement or town). It was originally used as a place name for towns where priests resided or had influence.

Preston Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Preston in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2412021#2532022#2732023
Top 3 Rankings#1142006#1142007#1202009

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Preston

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023273
(-20 from 2022)
1228
(-125 from 2022)
0.06706
2022253
(-12 from 2021)
1353
(-117 from 2021)
0.07224
2021241
(-13 from 2020)
1470
(-175 from 2020)
0.07846
2020228
(-11 from 2019)
1645
(-101 from 2019)
0.08893
2019217
(-12 from 2018)
1746
(-219 from 2018)
0.09085
2018205
(-15 from 2017)
1965
(-107 from 2017)
0.10109
2017190
(-18 from 2016)
2072
(-241 from 2016)
0.10469
2016172
(-3 from 2015)
2313
(-139 from 2015)
0.11419
2015169
(-21 from 2014)
2452
(-280 from 2014)
0.11994
2014148
No change from 2013
2732
(+66 from 2013)
0.13332
2013148
(-17 from 2012)
2666
(-275 from 2012)
0.13193
2012131
(+5 from 2011)
2941
(-95 from 2011)
0.14494
2011136
(-5 from 2010)
3036
(-71 from 2010)
0.14945
2010131
(-11 from 2009)
3107
(-356 from 2009)
0.15124
2009120
(+4 from 2008)
3463
(+3 from 2008)
0.16328
2008124
(-10 from 2007)
3460
(-335 from 2007)
0.15869
2007114
No change from 2006
3795
(+77 from 2006)
0.17133
2006114
(+32 from 2005)
3718
(+990 from 2005)
0.16959
2005146
(+6 from 2004)
2728
(+82 from 2004)
0.12824
2004152
(+2 from 2003)
2646
(+6 from 2003)
0.12520
2003154
(+1 from 2002)
2640
(+125 from 2002)
0.12564
2002155
(-3 from 2001)
2515
(-103 from 2001)
0.12169
2001152
(-11 from 2000)
2618
(-125 from 2000)
0.12657
2000141
(+21 from 1999)
2743
(+452 from 1999)
0.13135
1999162
(+14 from 1998)
2291
(+400 from 1998)
0.11236
1998176
(+2 from 1997)
1891
(+2 from 1997)
0.09326
1997178
(+11 from 1996)
1889
(+218 from 1996)
0.09455
1996189
(-7 from 1995)
1671
(-44 from 1995)
0.08339
1995182
(+11 from 1994)
1715
(+109 from 1994)
0.08527
1994193
(+4 from 1993)
1606
(+61 from 1993)
0.07879
1993197
(+5 from 1992)
1545
(+17 from 1992)
0.07480
1992202
(+15 from 1991)
1528
(+102 from 1991)
0.07279
1991217
(-19 from 1990)
1426
(-101 from 1990)
0.06727
1990198
(+1 from 1989)
1527
(+57 from 1989)
0.07096
1989199
(+2 from 1988)
1470
(+117 from 1988)
0.07013
1988201
(+1 from 1987)
1353
(+75 from 1987)
0.06757
1987202
(+12 from 1986)
1278
(+157 from 1986)
0.06553
1986214
(+24 from 1985)
1121
(+143 from 1985)
0.05833
1985238
(+4 from 1984)
978
(+74 from 1984)
0.05082
1984242
(+13 from 1983)
904
(+85 from 1983)
0.04817
1983255
(+10 from 1982)
819
(+12 from 1982)
0.04395
1982265
(+13 from 1981)
807
(+63 from 1981)
0.04276
1981278
(-2 from 1980)
744
(-19 from 1980)
0.03995
1980276
(+18 from 1979)
763
(+73 from 1979)
0.04114
1979294
(+9 from 1978)
690
(+93 from 1978)
0.03852
1978303
(+16 from 1977)
597
(+14 from 1977)
0.03494
1977319
(-10 from 1976)
583
(+16 from 1976)
0.03411
1976309
(+59 from 1975)
567
(+117 from 1975)
0.03473
1975368
(-19 from 1974)
450
(-31 from 1974)
0.02774
1974349
(-1 from 1973)
481
(-3 from 1973)
0.02950
1973348
(-28 from 1972)
484
(-85 from 1972)
0.02999
1972320
(+21 from 1971)
569
(+29 from 1971)
0.03399
1971341
(+15 from 1970)
540
(+18 from 1970)
0.02971
1970356
(-2 from 1969)
522
(+15 from 1969)
0.02740
1969354
(-8 from 1968)
507
(+9 from 1968)
0.02772
1968346
(+1 from 1967)
498
(+38 from 1967)
0.02805
1967347
(-17 from 1966)
460
(-60 from 1966)
0.02585
1966330
(+27 from 1965)
520
(+64 from 1965)
0.02861
1965357
(+10 from 1964)
456
(+3 from 1964)
0.02407
1964367
(-11 from 1963)
453
(-23 from 1963)
0.02235
1963356
(+6 from 1962)
476
(-8 from 1962)
0.02305
1962362
(+10 from 1961)
484
(+33 from 1961)
0.02303
1961372
(-15 from 1960)
451
(-27 from 1960)
0.02091
1960357
(-5 from 1959)
478
(-7 from 1959)
0.02207
1959352
(-3 from 1958)
485
(+6 from 1958)
0.02239
1958349
(-14 from 1957)
479
(-37 from 1957)
0.02223
1957335
(-17 from 1956)
516
(-33 from 1956)
0.02357
1956318
(+6 from 1955)
549
(+25 from 1955)
0.02558
1955324
(+6 from 1954)
524
(+41 from 1954)
0.02507
1954330
(-14 from 1953)
483
(-34 from 1953)
0.02334
1953316
(-17 from 1952)
517
(-40 from 1952)
0.02582
1952299
(+5 from 1951)
557
(+38 from 1951)
0.02823
1951304
(-12 from 1950)
519
(-16 from 1950)
0.02715
1950292
No change from 1949
535
No change from 1949
0.02941
1949292
(+22 from 1948)
535
(+74 from 1948)
0.02969
1948314
(-15 from 1947)
461
(-64 from 1947)
0.02586
1947299
(+7 from 1946)
525
(+73 from 1946)
0.02826
1946306
(-22 from 1945)
452
(+2 from 1945)
0.02739
1945284
(+11 from 1944)
450
(+42 from 1944)
0.03281
1944295
(-5 from 1943)
408
(-40 from 1943)
0.02937
1943290
(-5 from 1942)
448
(+1 from 1942)
0.03080
1942285
(+6 from 1941)
447
(+52 from 1941)
0.03174
1941291
(-3 from 1940)
395
(+14 from 1940)
0.03148
1940288
(+7 from 1939)
381
(+28 from 1939)
0.03212
1939295
(+5 from 1938)
353
(+21 from 1938)
0.03115
1938300
(-15 from 1937)
332
(-28 from 1937)
0.02921
1937285
(+11 from 1936)
360
(+26 from 1936)
0.03292
1936296
(+6 from 1935)
334
(+10 from 1935)
0.03138
1935302
(-15 from 1934)
324
(-33 from 1934)
0.03029
1934287
(+12 from 1933)
357
(+40 from 1933)
0.03362
1933299
(-7 from 1932)
317
(-35 from 1932)
0.03107
1932292
(+13 from 1931)
352
(+19 from 1931)
0.03276
1931305
(-12 from 1930)
333
(-46 from 1930)
0.03113
1930293
(+6 from 1929)
379
(+31 from 1929)
0.03355
1929299
(-10 from 1928)
348
(-33 from 1928)
0.03142
1928289
(+7 from 1927)
381
(+6 from 1927)
0.03339
1927296
(-16 from 1926)
375
(-41 from 1926)
0.03227
1926280
(-2 from 1925)
416
(-10 from 1925)
0.03632
1925278
(+2 from 1924)
426
(+12 from 1924)
0.03700
1924280
(-24 from 1923)
414
(-64 from 1923)
0.03541
1923256
(+5 from 1922)
478
(+11 from 1922)
0.04222
1922261
(+5 from 1921)
467
(+19 from 1921)
0.04150
1921266
(-15 from 1920)
448
(-34 from 1920)
0.03937
1920251
(+6 from 1919)
482
(+52 from 1919)
0.04379
1919257
(+5 from 1918)
430
(+13 from 1918)
0.04235
1918262
(-14 from 1917)
417
(+4 from 1917)
0.03977
1917248
(-1 from 1916)
413
(-5 from 1916)
0.04305
1916247
(-1 from 1915)
418
(+30 from 1915)
0.04528
1915246
(-8 from 1914)
388
(+69 from 1914)
0.04404
1914238
(+18 from 1913)
319
(+101 from 1913)
0.04668
1913256
(-10 from 1912)
218
(+12 from 1912)
0.04065
1912246
(-23 from 1911)
206
(+78 from 1911)
0.04563
1911223
(-1 from 1910)
128
(+16 from 1910)
0.05303
1910222
(+32 from 1909)
112
(+36 from 1909)
0.05371
1909254
(-35 from 1908)
76
(-12 from 1908)
0.04297
1908219
(+29 from 1907)
88
(+17 from 1907)
0.05290
1907248
(+5 from 1906)
71
(+10 from 1906)
0.04477
1906253
(-42 from 1905)
61
(-21 from 1905)
0.04234
1905211
(+19 from 1904)
82
(+15 from 1904)
0.05725
1904230
(-26 from 1903)
67
(-9 from 1903)
0.04837
1903204
(+25 from 1902)
76
(+14 from 1902)
0.05877
1902229
(-42 from 1901)
62
(-16 from 1901)
0.04670
1901187
(+40 from 1900)
78
No change from 1900
0.06748
1900227
(+4 from 1899)
78
(+26 from 1899)
0.04811
1899231
(+8 from 1898)
52
(-1 from 1898)
0.04514
1898239
(+60 from 1897)
53
(+16 from 1897)
0.04012
1897299
(-50 from 1896)
37
(-16 from 1896)
0.03034
1896249
(-19 from 1895)
53
(-5 from 1895)
0.04106
1895230
(-23 from 1894)
58
(-8 from 1894)
0.04580
1894207
(+51 from 1893)
66
(+20 from 1893)
0.05285
1893258
(-5 from 1892)
46
(-3 from 1892)
0.03800
1892253
(-30 from 1891)
49
(-2 from 1891)
0.03728
1891223
(+14 from 1890)
51
(+2 from 1890)
0.04668
1890237
(+29 from 1889)
49
(+10 from 1889)
0.04094
1889266
(-36 from 1888)
39
(-19 from 1888)
0.03276
1888230
(+11 from 1887)
58
(+14 from 1887)
0.04465
1887241
(+42 from 1886)
44
(+8 from 1886)
0.04025
1886283
(-46 from 1885)
36
(-12 from 1885)
0.03024
1885237
(+7 from 1884)
48
(-1 from 1884)
0.04140
1884244
(-36 from 1883)
49
(-3 from 1883)
0.03992
1883208
(+30 from 1882)
52
(+3 from 1882)
0.04623
1882238
(+24 from 1881)
49
(+13 from 1881)
0.04015
1881262
(-21 from 1880)
36
(-11 from 1880)
0.03325
1880241
First SSA data recorded
47
First SSA data recorded
0.03970

American States Popularity Rankings for Preston

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2522021#2372022#2822023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2682021#3502022#3212023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2442021#2242022#2542023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2312021#2382022#3062023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1712021#1822022#2792023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2772021#2582022#2462023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1762021#2132022#2582023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3042021#3372022#3442023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2022021#2402022#1922023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2732021#2222022#2852023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1602021#1902022#1572023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1772021#1552022#1922023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2462021#2602022#2082023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3762021#3422022#3562023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1892021#1922022#2342023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2272021#2502022#2442023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1962021#2652022#2442023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2742021#2172022#2682023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1482021#1962022#1982023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2492021#3152022#3002023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1692021#2012022#1752023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2852021#3412022#3652023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2542021#2912022#3112023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2832021#2182022#1872023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2352021#4332022#2912023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3252021#3472022#2982023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3992021#3322022#2882023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2412021#2832022#3232023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2702021#3742022#2522023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4062021#4752022#5122023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2922021#2452022#3512023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2372021#2152022#2652023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2392021#1292022#2142023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2652021#3772022#4142023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1352021#4832022#4162023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2472021#2512022#4552023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1902021#3902022#3402023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1972018#1862020#2322021

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3542021#3042022#3072023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3162018#2682019#3422022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2082018#2712019#2132020

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1962019#2562020#2932021

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2002007#2612008#2202014

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1902020#2702021#2622023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1972015#2022016#2432021

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1082019#1742020#2602023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1602018#2002019#2062021

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1442013#1212014#1322016

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2022018#2132019#1552020

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1902017#1652018#2442022

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1182010#1072012#1112018

Popularity Rankings for Preston in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#1022008

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2782016#3842017#4282018

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3052021#3402022#4582023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3692019#4362020#5142021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4332021#4142022#3952023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4762020#4252022#4822023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4542021#7792022#4722023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#6912019#4952020#6212021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5282015#5992017

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Preston a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Preston is typically given to boys, aligning with its origin as a surname and its robust, traditional feel.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Preston

Preston in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Preston Sturges (Director, 1898–1959): An American playwright and film director who made significant contributions to the screwball comedy genre in Hollywood.
  • Preston Tucker (Inventor, 1903–1956): An American automobile entrepreneur and engineer, creator of the innovative Tucker 48 car.
  • Preston Brooks (Politician, 1819–1857): An American politician and Congressman from South Carolina known for his controversial actions in the pre-Civil War era.
  • Preston Foster (Actor, 1900–1970): An American actor who appeared in numerous films and television shows from the 1930s to the 1960s.
  • Preston Pearson (Athlete, born 1945): A former American football running back who played in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Dallas Cowboys.
  • Preston Wilson (Athlete, born 1974): A former American professional baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball.
  • Preston Manning (Politician, born 1942): A Canadian politician and founder of the Reform Party of Canada, known for his impact on Canadian conservative politics.
  • Preston James (Geographer, 1899–1983): An American geographer who made significant contributions to the field of Latin American geography.
  • Preston Burke ("Grey's Anatomy," 2005 TV Series): A talented cardiothoracic surgeon known for his perfectionism and complex relationship with Dr. Cristina Yang.
  • Preston Lodge ("Clueless," 1995 Film): A high school student and part of Cher's social circle who navigates the ups and downs of teenage life.
  • "Preston Pig" (1996 Children's TV Series): Follows the adventures of a young pig named Preston who constantly outsmarts the wolf.
  • Preston B. Whitmore ("Atlantis: The Lost Empire," 2001 Animated Film): An eccentric millionaire who funds the expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis.
  • Preston Tucker ("Tucker: The Man and His Dream," 1988 Film): A visionary car designer who battles the automotive industry to bring his innovative car designs to life.
  • Preston Northwest ("Gravity Falls," 2012 TV Series): The wealthy and snobbish father of Pacifica Northwest, often at odds with the main characters.
  • "Preston Sturges" (1990 Biography): A detailed look into the life and works of the famed writer-director known for his comedies in the early 20th century.
  • Preston Stormer ("Hero Factory," 2010 TV Series): The leader of the Alpha Team in a futuristic world where heroes are built to fight villains.
  • Preston City (Lancashire, England): A historic city in Lancashire, England, noted for its university and strong industrial heritage.
  • Preston Park (East Sussex, England): A large public park in Brighton, East Sussex, offering a variety of outdoor activities and events.
  • Preston River (Western Australia, Australia): A river in the South West region of Western Australia, flowing into the Indian Ocean.
  • Preston City (Victoria, Australia): A suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, with a vibrant multicultural community.
  • Prestonfield (Edinburgh, Scotland): A suburban area of Edinburgh, home to the historic Prestonfield House.
  • Preston Park (Brighton and Hove, England): An urban park in Brighton, popular for its recreational facilities and annual events.
  • Preston Island (Utah, USA): An island located in the Great Salt Lake, Utah, noted for its unique ecological environment.

Similar Names to Preston

Sibling Names for Preston

Parents Who Like the Name Preston Also Like

  • Alden
  • Brigham
  • Cato
  • Dermot
  • Eustace