Princeton
From prince + -ton (“town”), originally in honor of crown princes or princes of the British Empire but later chiefly in honor of others with the name Prince or…
Every Princeton since 1950 — 10,256 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Princeton
Princeton is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #653 in 2025 with 422 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1950, 10,256 American babies have been named Princeton. Its peak came in 2017, when 793 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Princeton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Princeton year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 422 | #653 |
| 2024 | 465 | #614 |
| 2023 | 533 | #549 |
| 2022 | 611 | #499 |
| 2021 | 626 | #478 |
| 2020 | 722 | #412 |
| 2019 | 768 | #405 |
| 2018 | 788 | #407 |
| 2017 | 793 | #402 |
| 2016 | 775 | #413 |
| 2015 | 714 | #431 |
| 2014 | 541 | #517 |
| 2013 | 389 | #637 |
| 2012 | 318 | #732 |
| 2011 | 202 | #978 |
| 2010 | 173 | #1,107 |
| 2009 | 136 | #1,296 |
| 2008 | 106 | #1,530 |
| 2007 | 85 | #1,758 |
| 2006 | 54 | #2,342 |
| 2005 | 31 | #3,301 |
| 2004 | 48 | #2,370 |
| 2003 | 36 | #2,768 |
| 2002 | 32 | #2,927 |
| 2001 | 20 | #4,080 |
| 2000 | 32 | #2,848 |
| 1995 | 21 | #3,277 |
| 1990 | 64 | #1,406 |
| 1985 | 52 | #1,345 |
| 1980 | 23 | #2,267 |
| 1975 | 8 | #4,207 |
| 1970 | 6 | #4,598 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3,830 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 6 | #3,792 |
| 1950 | 6 | #3,598 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Princeton mean?
From prince + -ton (“town”), originally in honor of crown princes or princes of the British Empire but later chiefly in honor of others with the name Prince or locations named Princeton.
How popular is the name Princeton in 2025?
Princeton ranked #653 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 422 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Princeton?
10,256 babies have been named Princeton in the United States since 1950, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Princeton most popular?
Princeton peaked in 2017, when 793 newborns received the name.
Is Princeton a boy or girl name?
Princeton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Princeton rising or falling?
Princeton has been roughly stable over the past decade.