Find out how popular the first name Pryor has been for the last 47 years (from 1977 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pryor by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Pryor is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 86% of people named Pryor being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 17 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Pryor.

The history of the first name Pryor

The name Pryor has its roots in the Old French language, derived from the word "prieur," which means "prior" or the head of a monastery. This name originated in the medieval period, around the 12th century, and was initially used to refer to individuals who held the position of prior in religious institutions.

During the Middle Ages, the name Pryor was often associated with members of the clergy, particularly those who served as priors in monasteries and abbeys across Europe. It was a title of respect and authority within the religious hierarchy of the time.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Pryor can be found in historical documents and records from various parts of Europe, including France, England, and parts of the Holy Roman Empire. One notable example is William Pryor, an English Benedictine monk who lived in the 12th century and served as the Prior of Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire.

As time passed, the name Pryor evolved from being exclusively associated with religious figures to being adopted as a given name by families outside the clergy. This transition likely occurred during the Renaissance period, when many traditional naming conventions began to change.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Pryor. One of the earliest examples is Roger Pryor (1828-1919), an American lawyer and politician who served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Another prominent figure was Pryor Hendricks (1840-1921), a Union Army officer during the same conflict.

In the 20th century, the name Pryor gained further recognition with individuals such as Richard Pryor (1940-2005), the renowned American stand-up comedian, actor, and social critic, whose influential career spanned several decades. Additionally, there was Aaron Pryor (1955-2016), an American professional boxer who held the world junior welterweight championship in the 1980s.

Another noteworthy individual was Pryor Render (1907-1976), an American jazz pianist and songwriter who made significant contributions to the development of jazz music in the early 20th century.

While the name Pryor has its origins in the religious sphere, it has evolved over time to become a distinct given name with a rich history and cultural significance, carried by influential individuals across various fields and eras.

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 Pryor was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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