At a glance
- In short
- Prairie is an English nature name meaning “wide grassland.”
- U.S. rank 2025
- #4,265 of girl names (outside the top 1,000)
- Babies in 2025
- 33 (<0.01% of girls)
- Trend
- Rising #5,667 in 2020 to #4,265 in 2025
- Peak
- #3,366 in 1977
- First recorded
- 1973
Meaning of Prairie
Prairie is an English nature name meaning “wide grassland.” It instantly conjures sunlit meadows and open skies—imagine the golden stretches of the Punjab meeting endless horizons. The sound—PRAY-ree—is playful and light, almost like a secret wink from Mother Earth. It feels as fresh as a breeze rolling over tall grass, whispering of freedom, simplicity and boundless possibility. Prairie invites a child to explore, dream and grow strong, rooted in the earth yet reaching for the sky. This name is a warm hug from nature, perfect for parents seeking an inspired, free-spirited choice.
How to pronounce Prairie
English
- Pronounced PRAY-ree /preɪˈri/
Popularity of Prairie in the U.S.
Prairie was the #4,265 girl name in the U.S. in 2025, with 33 babies. It peaked at #3,366 in 1977. It first appears in the records in 1973.
- Rank among U.S. girl names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Year-by-year table, 1973–2025 40 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33 | 4,265 | ▼ 58 |
| 2024 | 34 | 4,207 | ▲ 1,342 |
| 2023 | 22 | 5,549 | ▼ 967 |
| 2022 | 30 | 4,582 | ▼ 169 |
| 2021 | 31 | 4,413 | ▲ 1,254 |
| 2020 | 21 | 5,667 | ▲ 319 |
| 2019 | 20 | 5,986 | ▼ 367 |
| 2018 | 22 | 5,619 | ▼ 281 |
| 2017 | 24 | 5,338 | ▲ 1,563 |
| 2016 | 17 | 6,901 | ▲ 7,581 |
| 2015 | 6 | 14,482 | ▼ 4,965 |
| 2014 | 11 | 9,517 | ▼ 1,382 |
| 2013 | 14 | 8,135 | back (not recorded in 2011–2012) |
| 2010 | 8 | 12,276 | back (not recorded in 2009) |
| 2008 | 7 | 13,832 | ▼ 1,156 |
| 2007 | 8 | 12,676 | ▼ 4,439 |
| 2006 | 14 | 8,237 | ▲ 3,597 |
| 2005 | 8 | 11,834 | ▼ 1,144 |
| 2004 | 9 | 10,690 | ▼ 265 |
| 2003 | 9 | 10,425 | ▲ 3,170 |
| 2002 | 6 | 13,595 | ▲ 1,757 |
| 2001 | 5 | 15,352 | ▼ 3,551 |
| 2000 | 7 | 11,801 | ▲ 887 |
| 1999 | 6 | 12,688 | back (not recorded in 1998) |
| 1997 | 7 | 10,836 | ▲ 2,682 |
| 1996 | 5 | 13,518 | ▼ 3,965 |
| 1995 | 8 | 9,553 | back (not recorded in 1993–1994) |
| 1992 | 6 | 11,738 | back (not recorded in 1989–1991) |
| 1988 | 6 | 10,386 | ▼ 561 |
| 1987 | 6 | 9,825 | back (not recorded in 1984–1986) |
| 1983 | 7 | 8,047 | ▼ 578 |
| 1982 | 8 | 7,469 | ▲ 2,942 |
| 1981 | 5 | 10,411 | ▼ 4,867 |
| 1980 | 12 | 5,544 | ▲ 2,517 |
| 1979 | 7 | 8,061 | ▼ 1,676 |
| 1978 | 9 | 6,385 | ▼ 3,019 |
| 1977 | 22 | 3,366 | ▲ 1,849 |
| 1976 | 11 | 5,215 | ▲ 3,852 |
| 1975 | 5 | 9,067 | back (not recorded in 1974) |
| 1973 | 5 | 8,423 | new |
Notable people named Prairie
- Prairie Prince is an American drummer and visual artist best known for his work with the Tubes and Jefferson Starship.