Princeton

English

Etymology

From prince +‎ -ton (“town”), originally in honor of crown princes or princes of the British Empire but later chiefly in honor of others with the name Prince or locations named Princeton. Doublet of Princetown. Cf. Princes Town, Princeville, Kingston, Kingstone, Coniston, Kingstown, Queenston, and Queenstown.

In particular, the British Columbian town is named for Edward VII, who was known as Albert, Prince of Wales, during the reign of his mother Queen Victoria. The New Jersey borough is named for William III—who became king of England through marriage to Mary II—in honor of his own separate Dutch title of Prince of Orange. The North Carolina town and Nebraska and Ontario communities are named for the New Jersey borough; the Missouri city is named for the Battle of Princeton which occurred there in the American Revolution; and the Illinois city and Florida CDP are named for the university named for its location in the borough. The given name derives from the prestigious university.

The Massachusetts town is named for clergyman Thomas Prince, and the Wisconsin city and town are named for the Massachusetts town. The Minnesota city is named for its founder John S. Prince, and the Idaho CDP is named after the Minnosota city. The Indiana city is named for politician William Prince, and the Kansas city is named for the Indiana city. The Texas city is named for landowner Prince Dowlin. The Kentucky city is named for landowner William Prince.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɪnstən/

Proper noun

Princeton

1. A place in Canada:
   1. A town in southern British Columbia.
   2. A settlement in Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador.
   3. A community in Blandford-Blenheim township, Oxford County, Ontario.
2. A number of places in the United States:
   1. An unincorporated community in Jackson County, Alabama.
   2. A census-designated place in Dallas County, Arkansas.
   3. A census-designated place in Colusa County, California.
   4. A census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
   5. A census-designated place in Latah County, Idaho.
   6. A city, the county seat of Bureau County, Illinois.
   7. A township in Bureau County, Illinois.
   8. A city, the county seat of Gibson County, Indiana.
   9. A township in White County, Indiana.
   10. A minor city and township in Scott County, Iowa.
   11. A minor city in Franklin County, Kansas.
   12. A city, the county seat of Caldwell County, Kentucky.
   13. An unincorporated community in Bossier Parish, Louisiana.
   14. A town in Washington County, Maine.
   15. A town in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
   16. A city in Mille Lacs County and Sherburne County, Minnesota.
   17. A township in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota.
   18. A city, the county seat of Mercer County, Missouri.
   19. An unincorporated community in Granite County, Montana.
   20. An unincorporated community in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
   21. A municipality in Mercer County, New Jersey.
   22. Clipping of Princeton University in the New Jersey municipality.
   23. A town in Johnston County, North Carolina.
   24. A census-designated place in Laurens County, South Carolina.
   25. A city in Collin County, Texas.
   26. A ghost town in Newton County, Texas.
   27. A city, the county seat of Mercer County, West Virginia.
   28. A town and city therein, in Green Lake County, Wisconsin.
3. A male given name.

Derived terms

• Princeton Junction
• Princeton rub