Prentiss
Every Prentiss since 1887 — 2,789 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Prentiss
Prentiss is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1887, 2,789 American babies have been named Prentiss. Its peak came in 1951, when 50 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Prentiss stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Prentiss year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | 7 | #10,661 |
| 2023 | — | — | 6 | #11,912 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | 9 | #8,669 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | 8 | #9,529 |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,559 | 9 | #8,660 |
| 2017 | — | — | 8 | #9,479 |
| 2016 | — | — | 9 | #8,649 |
| 2015 | — | — | 10 | #7,902 |
| 2014 | 5 | #18,578 | 17 | #5,427 |
| 2013 | — | — | 7 | #10,452 |
| 2012 | 10 | #11,062 | 9 | #8,698 |
| 2011 | — | — | 8 | #9,393 |
| 2010 | — | — | 12 | #6,992 |
| 2009 | — | — | 16 | #5,745 |
| 2008 | — | — | 10 | #8,145 |
| 2007 | — | — | 13 | #6,522 |
| 2006 | — | — | 10 | #7,863 |
| 2005 | — | — | 13 | #6,131 |
| 2004 | — | — | 13 | #6,058 |
| 2003 | — | — | 12 | #6,162 |
| 2002 | — | — | 8 | #8,252 |
| 2001 | — | — | 7 | #8,986 |
| 2000 | — | — | 14 | #5,250 |
| 1995 | — | — | 13 | #4,723 |
| 1990 | — | — | 27 | #2,537 |
| 1985 | — | — | 31 | #1,909 |
| 1980 | — | — | 39 | #1,563 |
| 1975 | — | — | 40 | #1,399 |
| 1970 | — | — | 40 | #1,330 |
| 1965 | — | — | 37 | #1,267 |
| 1960 | — | — | 28 | #1,544 |
| 1955 | — | — | 33 | #1,334 |
| 1950 | — | — | 40 | #1,136 |
| 1945 | — | — | 19 | #1,569 |
| 1940 | — | — | 27 | #1,303 |
| 1935 | — | — | 14 | #2,006 |
| 1930 | — | — | 36 | #1,187 |
| 1925 | — | — | 23 | #1,620 |
| 1920 | — | — | 28 | #1,412 |
| 1915 | — | — | 27 | #1,296 |
| 1910 | — | — | 10 | #1,101 |
| 1905 | — | — | 6 | #1,204 |
| 1900 | — | — | 5 | #1,456 |
| 1895 | — | — | 6 | #1,055 |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Prentiss in 2025?
Prentiss did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Prentiss?
2,789 babies have been named Prentiss in the United States since 1887, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Prentiss most popular?
Prentiss peaked in 1951, when 50 newborns received the name.
Is Prentiss a boy or girl name?
Prentiss is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Prentiss rising or falling?
Prentiss is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.