The nickname that we chose for our Priscilla from the start is Rilla, as a nod to L.M. Montgomery’s book “Rilla of Ingleside,” the last of the Anne of Green Gables series. Rilla is in itself a name that was in circulation about 100-120 years ago. Like some of the other commenters here, we of course loved the name Priscilla (and the story of Priscilla in the Bible, a woman who loved God and loved others) but didn’t want it to degenerate into Prissy. Rilla has been a great solution. Original but not tremendously difficult to spell or remember.

I’ve come to appreciate it in a sense, and I do get a lot of compliments. I changed my name for a year (to Abbey) and nobody, not once, commented on my name. I used to answer phones at work, and when I would say my name, about half the time I would get a comment, generally positive, but sometimes just, “That’s unique!” It’s it nice. I do hear, “What a beautiful name!” a lot. I don’t know if they mean it, but it’s enjoyable to hear.

Oh, and, Priscilla is very easily misheard. People commonly hear Crystal. I’ve also been misheard as Drusilla, Ursula, and Cruella. Got the Disney villain thing going on I guess. And when people forget my name, they always conjure it up as Penelope or Patricia.

Just some warnings for any future Priscillas out there…

The nickname I chose is Rissy. It’s a nickname that people can easily see where it came from, but it’s not Prissy. Cilla is nice, but not for me. Rissy is also more publicly known what with it being a popular nickname for Marissa and the likes. But when you hear me shouting “Rissy!” at the mall, you’ll be surprised when I follow it up with “Priscilla June!” instead of “Marissa!”

For some reason, I always picture circus show dogs, the pink puffy poodles that balance beach balls on their snouts. (Talk about alliteration!) I also picture women from the 20s to the 50s — Poodle skirts, with white blouses, thick glasses, and a ponytail. So Priscilla = Poodle to me, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing at all.

And Jennifer, I think the interesting thing is that all three of your girls’ names would have been popular in the same era – there could easily have been sisters with those names circa the landing at Plymouth Rock!

What’s keeping me from totally committing is public opinion. Call me vain, but this is probably my last child, and I can’t help but yearn for a name people will easily drool over. I’m not sure Priscilla is that name.

Also, we’re nn people..and I’m not crazy about Cilla or Prisca. I think if we went with Priscilla, we could possibly let a nn happen organically…but as a name nerd I want it settled. Polly? Posey? Pippa? I’d love opinions on that if anyone has any!