Greek word · G4251

Πρίσκα

priska

Prisca

A Roman personal name, Prisca, from priscus ('ancient, venerable'). The affectionate diminutive form is Priscilla.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 08, 2026

What it means

Πρίσκα, -ας, ἡ (Lat.), and Πρίσκιλλα, -ης, ἡ, Prisca: Rom_16:3, 1Co_16:19, 2Ti_4:19; Priscilla: Act_18:2; Act_18:18; Act_18:26; the wife of Aquila, vs. Ἀκύλας.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Timothy 4:19

Range of meaning: A Roman personal name, Prisca, from priscus ('ancient, venerable'). The affectionate diminutive form is Priscilla.
Against the English: BSB, KJV, ESV, NASB and WEB keep Paul's 'Prisca'. Some versions, including NIV and NLT, use 'Priscilla' to match Acts. That makes it clear she is the same woman, but it hides the fact that Paul consistently uses the more formal name.
Used elsewhere in the period: The couple appear in Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Rom 16:3–5; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19. Prisca is named first in Acts 18:18, 26, Rom 16:3 and here. Aquila comes first in Acts 18:2 and 1 Cor 16:19. They left Rome when Claudius expelled the Jews around AD 49 (Acts 18:2; compare Suetonius, Claudius 25.4). They worked with Paul in Corinth, moved to Ephesus, where they taught Apollos and hosted a church in their home (1 Cor 16:19), were later back in Rome with a house church (Rom 16:5), and here appear to be in Ephesus again.

From the study of Romans 16:3

Range of meaning: A Latin personal name meaning roughly 'venerable' or 'of old' (from priscus). Priscilla (Πρίσκιλλα) is its diminutive, an affectionate or familiar form.
Against the English: BSB, WEB, ESV, NASB: 'Prisca' (following the best manuscripts). KJV, YLT, NIV, NLT: 'Priscilla' (the Acts form; in the KJV's case also the Byzantine manuscripts' reading here).
Used elsewhere in the period: Paul uses Prisca in Rom 16:3, 1 Cor 16:19 and 2 Tim 4:19. Luke uses Priscilla in Acts 18:2, 18, 26. Luke prefers familiar forms (compare Silas, whom Paul calls Silvanus).

Where it appears

Romans · 1

Romans 16:3 Πρίσκαν Prisca

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

Here: A Latin woman's name (from priscus, 'ancient, venerable'). Paul uses the formal form; Luke uses the affectionate diminutive Priscilla. She is named before her husband here, as in most New Testament mentions of the pair.

1 Corinthians · 1

1 Corinthians 16:19 Πρίσκα Prisca

The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.

Here: A Roman name meaning roughly 'ancient' or 'venerable'. Paul always uses this formal form; Luke uses the affectionate short form Priscilla. Elsewhere she is usually named before her husband.

2 Timothy · 1

2 Timothy 4:19 Πρίσκαν Prisca

Greet Prisca and Aquila, as well as the household of Onesiphorus.

Here: A Roman name meaning roughly 'the elder' or 'old-fashioned'. Paul always uses this formal form; Luke in Acts uses the familiar form Priscilla. She is named before her husband, as she is in four of the six New Testament mentions of the couple.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.