Preet first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Preet has been for the last 26 years (from 1992 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Preet

A name of Sanskrit origin meaning love, affection, or desire.

Popularity of Preet by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Preet is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 63% of people named Preet being male.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 7 male babies and 6 female babies born with the name Preet.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 7 6
2016 9 5
2015 7 0
2014 6 8
2012 5 0
2011 5 10
2010 11 8
2009 8 5
2008 13 8
2007 6 0
2006 6 0
2005 8 0
2004 6 7
2003 5 0
2002 12 0
2001 6 0
2000 13 0
1999 5 0
1998 5 6
1997 5 6
1996 0 5
1995 0 8
1992 0 6

The history of the first name Preet

The name Preet has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which was the classical language of the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "priya," meaning "beloved" or "dear." The name can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was often used as a term of endearment.

In the Vedas, which are the oldest Hindu scriptures, the name Preet is mentioned in various hymns and mantras. One of the earliest recorded references to the name can be found in the Rigveda, one of the four canonical sacred texts of Hinduism, composed around 1500-1200 BCE.

Throughout the centuries, the name Preet has been borne by several notable figures in Indian history. One of the most famous was Preet Singh (1690-1734), a prominent military leader and warrior in the Sikh Empire during the early 18th century. He played a crucial role in the expansion of the Sikh Empire under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Another historical figure with the name Preet was Preet Narain (1715-1775), a renowned poet and writer from the Mughal era. He was known for his contributions to Hindi literature and his works, which often celebrated love and devotion.

In more recent times, Preet Bharara (born 1968) is a former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, known for his high-profile cases against Wall Street executives and corruption.

Preet Kaur Gill (born 1972) is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston since 2017. She is the first female Sikh MP in the UK Parliament.

Preet Kamal Kaur (born 1958) is an Indian classical dancer and choreographer, known for her contributions to the Bharatanatyam dance form. She has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Government of India.

The name Preet continues to be popular among people of Indian descent, particularly in the Sikh and Hindu communities, as it represents a sense of love, affection, and endearment.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Preet was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Preet, please contact us.

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"Preet first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 18, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/preet-meaning-and-history/.

"Preet first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/preet-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 18 October, 2025

Preet first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/preet-meaning-and-history/.

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