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The short answer
Princeton is a masculine name used in English. Behind the Name describes it this way: "From the name of the town or university in New Jersey. Established in the early 18th century, it is said to have been named for William III, the Prince of Orange." It ranked #653 for boys in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, from the name of the town or university in New Jersey. Established in the early 18th century, it is said to have been named for William III, the Prince of Orange. The entry lists its usage as English (Modern).
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Princeton ranked #653 for boys in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #653 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (English) and that sit near Princeton in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Princeton mean?
Behind the Name does not give Princeton a one-word meaning. It describes the name as follows: from the name of the town or university in New Jersey.
Is Princeton a popular name?
Princeton ranked #653 for boys in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Princeton a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Princeton appears in the boys' list; Behind the Name labels it masculine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Princeton — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
