Meaning & History
Priskilla is the Greek form of Priscilla, found in the Greek New Testament. It derives from the Roman name Prisca, a diminutive of the Latin name Prisca, meaning 'ancient' or 'venerable'. In the New Testament (Acts 18), Paul stayed with Priscilla (also called Prisca) and her husband Aquila in Corinth, highlighting her as a prominent early Christian woman.
The name Priskilla preserves the Greek spelling and pronunciation of the original Greek text, where it appears alongside the variant Priska. Its use is confined mainly to Greek-speaking Christian communities and biblical scholarship, as opposed to the widespread English adoption of Priscilla following the Protestant Reformation and popularity among Puritans. English diminutives like Cece, Cissy, Pris, and Prissy are unrelated to the Greek form.
Notable Bearers
While no prominent historical figures bear the name Priskilla specifically, the New Testament Priscilla/U00a0(Prisca) was a respected teacher who instructed Apollos (Acts 18:26). In Byzantium, the Greek variant may have appeared in early Christian families, but records are scarce.
Significance
Priskilla illustrates how biblical names adapt into local linguistic forms—a single Greek text yields a distinct variant versus Latin-derived forms widely used in the West. It also reflects the status of women in the early church, with its bearer remembered for co-laboring with Paul.
- Meaning: Derived from Latin Prisca 'ancient', though via the root Priscilla
- Origin: Greek form of a Roman name, popular via the New Testament
- Type: Feminine given name, usage primarily in Greek Bible contexts