This page brings together 50 female names that start with the letter P, arranged alphabetically from “Penelope” to “Priyanka.” These names span many cultures and eras, from ancient Greek and Latin classics to sweet Sanskrit and Persian choices. Parents use this list to compare options, discover meanings, and find the perfect name for a baby girl or character.
Female names are the personal names traditionally given to girls and women to identify them and reflect their heritage. Many carry beautiful meanings rooted in nature, virtue, or mythology, like Persephone, the Greek goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. They often pass down through families and shift in popularity with each generation.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows the female name itself, so you can quickly scan the alphabetical list and spot the ones you love most.
Origin: This tells you the language or culture a name comes from, helping you understand its background and connect it to your own roots.
Meaning: This reveals what each name stands for, letting you choose one whose message feels right for your daughter or story.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people or characters who share the name, giving you a sense of its personality and real-world style.
Description: This offers a short, friendly summary of each name’s history, sound, and charm, so you can decide if it suits you.
Female names
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Famous Namesakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penelope | Greek | Weaver; faithful wife | Penelope Cruz, Penelope Disick |
| Paige | English | Young attendant; page | Paige VanZant, Paige Spiranac |
| Priscilla | Latin | Ancient; venerable | Priscilla Presley, Priscilla Chan |
| Paula | Latin | Small; humble | Paula Abdul, Paula Deen |
| Patricia | Latin | Noble; patrician | Patricia Arquette, Patricia Highsmith |
| Paloma | Spanish | Dove | Paloma Faith, Paloma Picasso |
| Phoebe | Greek | Bright; radiant | Phoebe Buffay, Phoebe Waller-Bridge |
| Paisley | Scottish | From the church; the swirled pattern | Paisley Park (Prince) |
| Penny | English | Weaver; a small coin | Penny Marshall, Penny Lancaster |
| Phyllis | Greek | Green bough; foliage | Phyllis Diller, Phyllis Schlafly |
| Pearl | English | A precious gem | Pearl Bailey, Pearl Jam (band) |
| Polly | English | Bitter; rebellion | Polly Walker, Pollyanna (character) |
| Petra | Greek | Rock; stone | Petra Nemcova, Petra Kvitova |
| Portia | Latin | Pig; an offering | Portia de Rossi |
| Priya | Sanskrit | Beloved; dear | Priya (Big Bang Theory character) |
| Paulina | Latin | Small; humble | Paulina Porizkova, Paulina Rubio |
| Pamela | Greek | All sweetness; honey | Pamela Anderson, Pamela Adlon |
| Persephone | Greek | Bringer of destruction; spring maiden | Persephone (mythology) |
| Piper | English | Pipe or flute player | Piper Perabo, Piper Laurie |
| Paola | Italian | Small; humble | Paola Turbay, Paola Egonu |
| Patrice | French | Noble; patrician | Patrice Lumumba (male), Patrice Munsel |
| Phoenix | Greek | Dark red; the mythical bird | Phoenix (mythology) |
| Primrose | English | First rose | Primrose Everdeen (Hunger Games) |
| Pia | Latin | Pious; devout | Pia Zadora, Pia Mia |
| Prudence | Latin | Caution; good judgment | Prudence (Beatles song) |
| Pippa | English | Lover of horses | Pippa Middleton |
| Prue | Latin | Caution; good judgment | Prue Halliwell (Charmed), Prue Leith |
| Padma | Sanskrit | Lotus | Padma Lakshmi |
| Patience | English | Endurance; calm tolerance | Patience (Guns N’ Roses song) |
| Perla | Spanish | Pearl | Perla (various) |
| Peyton | English | Fighting man’s estate | Peyton List |
| Paris | Greek | From the city; a Trojan prince | Paris Hilton, Paris Jackson |
| Petunia | English | The trumpet-shaped flower | Petunia Dursley (Harry Potter) |
| Poppy | English | The red flower | Poppy Delevingne, Poppy (singer) |
| Page | French | Young attendant | Page (variant) |
| Philippa | Greek | Lover of horses | Philippa Gregory, Philippa of Hainault |
| Prabha | Sanskrit | Light; radiance | Prabha (various) |
| Promise | English | A solemn pledge | Promise (various) |
| Precious | Latin | Of great value | Precious (film character) |
| Pauline | Latin | Small; humble | Pauline Collins, Pauline Hanson |
| Petal | English | A flower’s leaf | Petal (various) |
| Princess | English | Royal daughter | Princess (various) |
| Pomeline | French | Apple | Pomeline (Monaco royalty) |
| Pelagia | Greek | Of the sea | Saint Pelagia |
| Perdita | Latin | Lost | Perdita (The Winter’s Tale) |
| Phaedra | Greek | Bright | Phaedra (mythology) |
| Pia-Maria | Latin | Pious; beloved Mary | Pia-Maria (various) |
| Prarthana | Sanskrit | Prayer | Prarthana (various) |
| Pari | Persian | Fairy; angel | Pari (various) |
| Priyanka | Sanskrit | Lovable; dear | Priyanka Chopra |
Descriptions
Penelope
A name from Greek mythology borne by the loyal wife of Odysseus. It has surged in popularity for its elegant, classic feel and the charming nickname Penny.
Paige
Originally an occupational surname for a young servant or attendant, Paige became a popular given name. Its crisp, modern sound suits its rise in the late 20th century.
Priscilla
A name of Roman origin meaning ancient or classic. It appears in the New Testament and gained fame through Priscilla Presley, lending it a timeless charm.
Paula
The feminine form of Paul, meaning small or humble. A steady classic across many cultures, it is especially common in Spanish and German-speaking regions.
Patricia
Derived from the Latin for noble, Patricia was hugely popular in the mid-20th century. It carries friendly nicknames like Pat, Patty, and Tricia.
Paloma
A Spanish name meaning dove, symbolizing peace and gentleness. Made famous by designer Paloma Picasso and singer Paloma Faith, it has soft, romantic appeal.
Phoebe
A luminous Greek name meaning bright or shining, linked to Apollo and the moon. It gained pop-culture fame from the Friends character and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Paisley
Drawn from a Scottish town and its iconic teardrop textile design, Paisley is a trendy, artistic choice. It blends place-name roots with a bohemian, musical vibe.
Penny
Often short for Penelope but used independently, Penny has a cheerful, retro charm. It evokes the small coin and a friendly, down-to-earth personality.
Phyllis
A vintage Greek name meaning green leaf or foliage, rooted in mythology. Hugely popular in the early 20th century, it carries a nostalgic, garden-fresh feel.
Pearl
A nature name referring to the lustrous gem formed in oysters. Popular in the Victorian era, Pearl symbolizes purity and is enjoying a vintage revival.
Polly
A spirited pet form of Mary or Molly, Polly has an old-fashioned, playful charm. It evokes the optimistic literary heroine Pollyanna and feels cheerfully retro.
Petra
The feminine form of Peter, meaning rock or stone, also a famous ancient city in Jordan. Strong and elegant, it is popular across Europe.
Portia
Best known from Shakespeare’s clever heroine in The Merchant of Venice. Despite humble Latin roots, Portia reads as sophisticated, literary, and refined.
Priya
A sweet Sanskrit name meaning beloved or dear, widely used across India. Its warm meaning and gentle sound have helped it travel internationally.
Paulina
An elaborated form of Paula, meaning small or humble. Elegant and international, it shines through supermodel Paulina Porizkova and singer Paulina Rubio.
Pamela
Coined by a 16th-century poet from Greek roots meaning all sweetness. It peaked mid-century and is closely tied to actress Pamela Anderson.
Persephone
The Greek goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. This dramatic, mythological name has gained favor among parents seeking something powerful and poetic.
Piper
An occupational surname for one who plays the pipe, now a lively given name. Its musical, spirited energy made it a modern favorite.
Paola
The Italian and Spanish form of Paula, meaning small or humble. Graceful and melodic, it is widely loved across southern Europe and Latin America.
Patrice
A French form of Patricia meaning noble. As a feminine name it carries a chic, sophisticated air with the friendly short form Pat.
Phoenix
Named for the mythical bird that rises reborn from its ashes, Phoenix symbolizes renewal and resilience. This bold, unisex choice appeals to modern parents.
Primrose
A delicate English flower name meaning first rose, signaling early spring blooms. Popularized by the Hunger Games character Prim, it feels sweetly vintage.
Pia
A short, sweet name meaning pious or devout, popular in Italy, Scandinavia, and Germany. Its simplicity and gentle meaning give it timeless appeal.
Prudence
A virtue name meaning caution and wisdom, favored by the Puritans. Immortalized in the Beatles song Dear Prudence, it has a quaint, thoughtful charm.
Pippa
A bubbly pet form of Philippa, meaning lover of horses. It gained worldwide attention through Pippa Middleton and exudes upbeat British charm.
Prue
A short form of Prudence, also used independently. Crisp and vintage, it is known through the Charmed character and beloved chef Prue Leith.
Padma
A Sanskrit name meaning lotus, a sacred symbol of beauty and purity. Carried gracefully by author and host Padma Lakshmi, it feels serene and exotic.
Patience
A virtue name embraced by the Puritans, meaning calm endurance. It conveys a gentle, steady character and has a quietly graceful, old-world feel.
Perla
The Spanish and Italian word for pearl, this nature name symbolizes purity and preciousness. Warm and feminine, it is popular across Latin cultures.
Peyton
A surname-turned-given-name with English roots, now popular for girls. Soft yet strong, it gained ground as a stylish unisex choice in recent decades.
Paris
Evoking the romantic French capital and the Greek mythological prince, Paris is glamorous and cosmopolitan. It rose as a girls’ name via Paris Hilton.
Petunia
A cheerful botanical name for the bright, trumpet-shaped garden flower. Quirky and old-fashioned, it is recognizable from the Harry Potter series.
Poppy
A bright, playful flower name beloved in Britain, the poppy symbolizes remembrance and vivid color. It feels cheerful, fashionable, and youthful.
Page
A variant spelling of Paige, from the occupational term for a young attendant. Sleek and minimal, it offers a simple, modern alternative.
Philippa
The elegant feminine form of Philip, meaning lover of horses. A regal British classic, it yields the lively nicknames Pippa and Pip.
Prabha
A Sanskrit name meaning light or radiance, evoking brilliance and glow. Gentle and luminous, it is cherished in Indian naming traditions.
Promise
A modern virtue name meaning a solemn vow or hopeful potential. Uplifting and contemporary, it conveys optimism and heartfelt commitment.
Precious
A word name meaning beloved and valuable, signaling deep affection. Warm and endearing, it gained recognition through the acclaimed film Precious.
Pauline
A French elaboration of Paula meaning small or humble. Refined and classic, it enjoyed mid-century popularity and retains a graceful, vintage charm.
Petal
A dainty nature name referring to a single bloom’s soft leaf. Whimsical and delicate, it has a gentle, romantic quality favored by free spirits.
Princess
A regal word name meaning the daughter of a monarch. Endearing and affectionate, it is often used to express that a child is treasured and adored.
Pomeline
A rare, dainty French name linked to apples and orchards. Aristocratic and unusual, it carries a delicate, storybook elegance.
Pelagia
An ancient Greek name meaning of the sea, borne by early saints. Lyrical and uncommon, it evokes ocean depth and classical heritage.
Perdita
Coined by Shakespeare for the lost princess in The Winter’s Tale, meaning lost one. Romantic and literary, it also appears in 101 Dalmatians.
Phaedra
A Greek mythological name meaning bright or radiant, tied to a tragic Cretan princess. Dramatic and elegant, it carries timeless classical weight.
Pia-Maria
A graceful compound name pairing the devout Pia with Maria. Popular in continental Europe, it blends piety with classic feminine warmth.
Prarthana
A Sanskrit name meaning prayer or earnest wish. Spiritual and melodic, it reflects devotion and hope within Indian naming traditions.
Pari
A lovely Persian name meaning fairy or angel, evoking grace and enchantment. Short and sweet, it is cherished across Iran and South Asia.
Priyanka
A Sanskrit name meaning lovable and dear, made globally famous by actress Priyanka Chopra. Elegant and warm, it is widely loved across India.