Fun Facts About the Name Prospero
- 71 babies named Prospero: U.S. records list 71 babies given the name Prospero from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Prospero Mean?
Prospero is a masculine given name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin prosperus, meaning "favorable," "fortunate," or "prosperous." The Latin adjective is also the source of the English words prosper and prosperous, and the name's core sense is success or good fortune rather than a symbolic quality.
Prospero Name History & Origins
Prospero is the Italian form of the Latin name Prosperus, also found in the shorter form Prosper. The Latin name was used by early Christians; Prosper of Aquitaine, a fifth-century theologian, is one documented bearer of the related Latin form. The same Latin root lies behind the Spanish and Portuguese form Próspero.
In English, Prospero is best known as the name of the exiled Duke of Milan in Shakespeare's The Tempest, written in the early 17th century. That literary role made the Italian form familiar to English readers and theater audiences, but it is a use of an existing name rather than its origin.
How Popular is the Name Prospero?
Prospero has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1928. Its best rank was #3,299 in 1928.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | #6,088 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1947 | #4,145 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1933 | #4,043 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1930 | #3,908 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1929 | #3,860 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1928 | #3,299 | 8 | 0.0007% |
| 1925 | #3,660 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1924 | #3,775 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1923 | #4,748 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1917 | #4,442 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1916 | #4,365 | 5 | 0.0006% |
| 1915 | #3,323 | 7 | 0.0008% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with P
How the Name Prospero Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Prospero's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Prospero's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.