Don’t let the “Purple Rain” stop you, go out and celebrate National Prince Day, which falls on October 31 every year. It’s all about being the best version of you, embracing life and change with both arms wide open, and honoring those that came before you, the Princes of decades before. Did you know the name Prince was reported 17,577 times in the Social Security Administration public database between 1880 and 2018? According to the U.N. World Population Prospects for 2019, that’s more than enough Princes to populate the Cook Islands, which has a population of 17,462.
History of National Prince Day
If someone were to ask you what or who comes to mind first when you hear the name Prince, it’s pretty safe to say you are thinking of Prince Rogers Nelson, also known simply as Prince, his stage name. Though there is way more to it than just the ‘Purple Rain’ hitmaker, there are millions of people, primarily men, in the world that share the name. Then, of course, there are also the sons of royal families, but their names aren’t Prince. It’s simply their title.
The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon name ‘Prince,’ which is derived from the Latin word ‘princeps,’ meaning ‘first one’ or ‘leader.’ The name naturally derives from its original bearer, who was a formal and regal person or had earned the title of prince in some type of contest. Many years ago, after people started honoring royalty and respecting their titles, the common man named his child after these esteemed highnesses. In fact, with the introduction of Prince, the musician, when he broke out and gained popularity, that’s when people really started naming their babies Prince.
As time went on, the female version of the name started to pop up around the United States after people began naming their daughters Princess, not just as a term of endearment but as their legal name. If you’re a Prince, an adventure is what your heart desires most, and your pleasure requires freedom. Some of your most valued things in life include traveling, making new friends, and gaining new experiences. You are also not afraid of change; as a matter of fact, you welcome it.
National Prince Day timeline
Prince Rogers Nelson, also known as Prince, is born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Prince Badi Ajamu, an American boxer nicknamed the Boxing Prince, is born in New Jersey.
Prince Raj, an Indian politician, is appointed president of the Bihar unit of the Lok Janshakti Party.
Prince Gyasi Nyantakyi, a Ghanaian international visual artist, is featured in Virgil Abloh’s Spring/Summer collection for “Off-White,” performing alongside Abloh’s new creative cast.
National Prince Day FAQs
What is the name Prince short for?
The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon name ‘Prince,’ which is derived from the Latin word ‘princeps,’ which means ‘first one’ or ‘leader.’ The name derives from its original bearer, who was a formal and regal person or had earned the title of prince in some type of contest.
What is Prince's biggest hit?
‘When Doves Cry,’ his No. One hit from the “Purple Rain” album, tops the list. He also had a handful of Billboard Hot 100 singles through the years.
Is Prince considered pop or rock?
Prince was a composer and songwriter, a virtuoso on guitars, keyboards, drums, and a master constructor of funk, rock, R&B, and pop, even as his music transcended classifications.
National Prince Day Activities
Explore Prince’s discography
Prince has a massive and extensive discography that ranges from “For You,” which came out in 1978, to “HITnRUN Phase Two,” which was released in 2015 and would also be his final album. Take a journey through his music and how it changed through the years, tracing different influences and stages in his life. Having Prince as your background music for National Prince Day seems like a pretty sweet deal.
Read a book on being a prince
Okay, we know only a few people will ever become princes, and it’s usually through marriage, but why not explore the requirements, tasks, and treats involved with being a royal waiting to take the throne? There are countless books on princes through the years, so try and find one that explains the ins and outs of the job. And then, take some of that on so you can be a prince for a day.
Make a list of your favorite people named Prince
The chances that you would know more than two people named Prince, who are close to you in terms of being related or friends with, are slim. However, if you do know more than two, make a list and detail how they impact your life and how much time you spend with them. When that’s done, you’ll know who your favorite Prince is.
5 Interesting Facts About Prince
He was very religious
Prince, baptized in 2001, was a zealous Jehovah's Witness who even went door-to-door.
There is a color named after him
In collaboration with Prince's estate, global color authority Pantone produced a royal shade of purple in his honor a little more than a year after his death.
Number one in film, soundtracks, and singles
“Purple Rain,” Prince's film, debuted at number one at the box office in 1984; the film's soundtrack was the best-selling album that week, and ‘When Doves Cry was the best-selling single.
He was a versatile writer
Prince wrote music for other artists, including the Bangles' ‘Manic Monday’ and Sinéad O'Connor's ‘Nothing Compares 2 U.’
His sister sued him
Lorna Nelson, Prince's half-sister, sued him in 1987, alleging she wrote the lyrics to ‘U Got the Look’ featuring pop diva Sheena Easton.
Why We Love National Prince Day
There is an air of royalty in the name
It’s just a name, but you can’t help to think of someone as esteemed and regal when you hear their name is Prince. It’s naturally not associated with royalty or any kind of lineage, but it is closely related to the title of a male royal.
The name is associated with a legend
Anytime a special day, regardless of what it is celebrating, somehow links to a legendary figure or icon, people can’t help but celebrate them too. In this case, not only was Prince an iconic figure in the music and pop culture worlds, his name was Prince, so he would be celebrating National Prince Day along with us.
You can name babies and pets Prince
Prince is one of those very versatile names where you can name your baby Prince, your pet, or even your car if that’s your thing. You have got to love when names can be widely used, especially when you want to name something of incredible importance to you. It sets it or them aside from the rest.
National Prince Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | October 31 | Thursday |
| 2025 | October 31 | Friday |
| 2026 | October 31 | Saturday |
| 2027 | October 31 | Sunday |
| 2028 | October 31 | Tuesday |
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