Parish Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAIR-ish //ˈpɛrɪʃ//
Origin: English; French
Meaning: English: 'of the parish'; French: 'a church community'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Parish has its roots in the Latin word "parochia," which translates to "parish" in English, referring to a local church community. This term was adopted into Old French as "paroisse" before making its way into Middle English as "parish." The evolution of the name reflects the historical significance of local ecclesiastical governance and community organization in medieval Europe, where parishes played a central role in both spiritual and social life.
The transition from a term denoting a church community to a personal name illustrates the influence of religious structures on naming conventions during the Middle Ages. Historically, the term "parish" became prominent in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, as the church's administrative divisions were formalized.
The establishment of parishes was crucial for the spread of Christianity and the organization of local governance. Notably, the English Reformation in the 16th century further solidified the role of parishes in the Anglican Church, making them integral to the religious and social fabric of English society.
The name Parish, as a surname, likely emerged during this period, denoting individuals who were associated with or lived near a parish. Culturally, the name Parish carries connotations of community and belonging, reflecting the historical importance of local congregations in providing social support and identity.
The name may also evoke a sense of heritage tied to specific locales, as many surnames derived from geographic or communal origins. In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations may have developed, but the primary significance of Parish remains rooted in its ecclesiastical origins and the communal aspects of parish life.
Famous people named Parish
In this section, you will find notable people named Parish. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Parish who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Parish who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Parish Alford is a journalist best known for his work with The Clarion-Ledger, Mississippi's largest newspaper.
Parish L. Smith is a musician best known for his contributions to the band The Parish.
Parish K. McGowan is a filmmaker best known for directing the documentary series The Parish Chronicles.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Parish, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Parish. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Parish was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Parish has ranked as high as #3739 nationally, which occurred in 1991, and has been most popular in Illinois, New York, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Parish has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Parish is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Parish was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Parish.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2020 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 2016 | 26 | 17 | 9 |
| 2015 | 19 | 13 | 6 |
| 2014 | 19 | 10 | 9 |
| 2013 | 18 | 10 | 8 |
| 2012 | 21 | 9 | 12 |
| 2011 | 26 | 17 | 9 |
| 2010 | 25 | 11 | 14 |
| 2009 | 22 | 12 | 10 |
| 2008 | 15 | 7 | 8 |
| 2007 | 15 | 6 | 9 |
| 2006 | 18 | 7 | 11 |
| 2005 | 22 | 13 | 9 |
| 2004 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2003 | 19 | 11 | 8 |
| 2002 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2001 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2000 | 33 | 24 | 9 |
| 1999 | 20 | 11 | 9 |
| 1998 | 22 | 16 | 6 |
| 1997 | 24 | 14 | 10 |
| 1996 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 1995 | 22 | 15 | 7 |
| 1994 | 43 | 31 | 12 |
| 1993 | 54 | 43 | 11 |
| 1992 | 53 | 34 | 19 |
| 1991 | 56 | 43 | 13 |
| 1990 | 29 | 23 | 6 |
| 1989 | 25 | 16 | 9 |
| 1988 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| 1987 | 22 | 17 | 5 |
| 1986 | 21 | 14 | 7 |
| 1985 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1984 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1983 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1982 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1981 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1980 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1979 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1978 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1977 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 1976 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1975 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1974 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1973 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1972 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1971 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1970 | 24 | 19 | 5 |
| 1969 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1968 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1967 | 30 | 24 | 6 |
| 1966 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1965 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1964 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1963 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1961 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1923 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1915 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Parish (1998)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 6 |