The first name Preston

In 2025, 34 boys were named Preston, making it the 914th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2006, with 330 births (#149).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Preston with other names.

In 2025, 1,131 boys born in the United States were named Preston, the 299th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2007, when 3,797 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Preston Sturges
  American film director and screenwriter (1898-1959)
• Preston Foster
  American actor, vocalist (1900-1970)
• Preston Tucker
  American businessman (1903-1956)
• Preston Bailey
  American actor, born 2000
• Preston Cloud
  American earth scientist, biogeologist, cosmologist, and paleontologist (1912–1991)
• Preston Lacy
  American stuntman and actor, born 1969
• Francis Preston Blair
  American newspaper editor and presidential advisor (1791-1876)
• Preston Dickinson
  American artist (1889-1930)
• Preston Manning
  Canadian politician, born 1942
• Preston King
  American politician, 1806–1865
• Preston Blair
  American animator (1908–1995)
• Preston Holder
  American archaeologist (1907-1980)

• Tyler
• Alfred
• Blake
• Grayson
• Stanley
• Tom
• Wyatt
• Miles
• Brandon
• Maxwell
• Landon
• Bradley
• Spencer
• Wesley
• Colton
• Hugh

All 216 names of English origin

What does the name Preston mean?

Preston means “priests'”, “settlement” in English.

What is the origin of the name Preston?

From Old English Prēostatūn, from prēosta (“priests'”, genitive plural) + tūn (“settlement”). Doublet of Prestatyn.

How popular is the name Preston?

In 2025, 34 boys born in England and Wales were named Preston, ranking 914th. Its peak was 2006, with 330 births.

Is Preston a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 123,757 US babies named Preston since 1880 were boys.

When was Preston most popular?

2007 in the United States, when 3,797 babies were named Preston, its highest rank at 114th.

How do you pronounce Preston?

Preston is /ˈpɹɛs.tən/, 2 syllables.

Is Preston also a surname?

Yes. Preston is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.