This list includes 72 Male dog names that start with P, from “Paavo” to “Pythagoras”. The names range from playful modern picks to classical and international choices popular among pet owners. Use these names for puppies, characters, or breeder lists.
Male dog names that start with P are a mix of short, strong, and whimsical options suited to many breeds. Some reflect languages, myths, or famous figures—Pythagoras is a notable classical example.
Below you’ll find the table with Origin, Pronunciation, and Meaning.
Origin: Shows each name’s language or cultural background so you can choose a fitting cultural or stylistic match.
Pronunciation: Gives a simple phonetic guide so you pronounce names confidently and test how they sound when calling your dog.
Meaning: Provides a concise definition or translation to help you choose names matching your dog’s traits or your values.
Male dog names that start with P
| Name | Scientific name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pablo | Canis lupus familiaris | Spanish | From Paul: small, humble |
| Paco | Canis lupus familiaris | Spanish | Diminutive of Francisco; “Frenchman”/”free man” |
| Paavo | Canis lupus familiaris | Finnish | Finnish form of Paul: small, humble |
| Paddy | Canis lupus familiaris | Irish | Diminutive of Patrick: noble, patrician |
| Padraig | Canis lupus familiaris | Irish | Irish form of Patrick: noble, patrician |
| Paxton | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Peace town |
| Palmer | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Pilgrim carrying palm |
| Pancho | Canis lupus familiaris | Spanish | Diminutive of Francisco; “Frenchman”/”free man” |
| Pan | Canis lupus familiaris | Greek | All; Greek god of nature and wilds |
| Parker | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Park keeper (occupational surname) |
| Pascal | Canis lupus familiaris | French | Relating to Easter (Passover) |
| Pasquale | Canis lupus familiaris | Italian | Related to Passover/Easter |
| Pat | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Short for Patrick: noble, patrician |
| Pate | Canis lupus familiaris | French | Short form of Patrice; noble |
| Patrice | Canis lupus familiaris | French | Noble, patrician |
| Patrick | Canis lupus familiaris | Latin | Noble, patrician |
| Pavel | Canis lupus familiaris | Slavic | Slavic form of Paul: small, humble |
| Pawel | Canis lupus familiaris | Polish | Polish form of Paul: small, humble |
| Pasha | Canis lupus familiaris | Russian/Turkish | Diminutive of Pavel; also Turkish title “governor” |
| Pax | Canis lupus familiaris | Latin | Peace |
| Pepe | Canis lupus familiaris | Spanish | Diminutive of José: “God will add” |
| Pepin | Canis lupus familiaris | Frankish | Possibly “awe-inspiring” (Frankish) |
| Percy | Canis lupus familiaris | English | From Norman family name Perci |
| Percival | Canis lupus familiaris | French/Old English | Possibly “pierce the vale”; Arthurian knight |
| Perry | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Pear tree |
| Pete | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Short for Peter: rock |
| Peter | Canis lupus familiaris | Greek | Rock |
| Piers | Canis lupus familiaris | English | English form of Peter: rock |
| Pierce | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Variant of Piers/Peter; rock |
| Pierre | Canis lupus familiaris | French | French form of Peter: rock |
| Pietro | Canis lupus familiaris | Italian | Italian form of Peter: rock |
| Piero | Canis lupus familiaris | Italian | Italian form of Peter: rock |
| Pinto | Canis lupus familiaris | Spanish | Spotted; paint (descriptive surname) |
| Pip | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Short for Pippin or Philip; “seed”/”lover of horses” |
| Pippin | Canis lupus familiaris | Old French/English | From Old French pépin “pip, seed” |
| Pipin | Canis lupus familiaris | French | Variant of Pepin (historical Frankish name) |
| Piro | Canis lupus familiaris | Spanish/Italian | Variant of Pedro/Pierro; rock/stone |
| Pistachio | Canis lupus familiaris | Italian | From pistachio nut |
| Plato | Canis lupus familiaris | Greek | Broad-shouldered; name of philosopher |
| Pluto | Canis lupus familiaris | Latin/Greek | Roman god of the underworld; “wealthy” |
| Polo | Canis lupus familiaris | Italian/Spanish | From the game; or surname (Marco Polo) |
| Pongo | Canis lupus familiaris | English (fictional) | Coined fictional name from “101 Dalmatians” |
| Poncho | Canis lupus familiaris | Spanish | Diminutive nickname; related to “poncho” garment |
| Pope | Canis lupus familiaris | Latin | Father; religious leader title |
| Porter | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Gate keeper; porter (occupational) |
| Poseidon | Canis lupus familiaris | Greek | God of the sea |
| Potter | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Occupational surname: pot-maker |
| Prancer | Canis lupus familiaris | English | One who prances |
| Presley | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Priest’s clearing (surname origin) |
| Preston | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Priest town |
| Prince | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Royal son; ruler’s title |
| Primo | Canis lupus familiaris | Italian | First; excellent |
| Princeton | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Prince’s town |
| Prospero | Canis lupus familiaris | Latin/Italian | Prosperous; fortunate |
| Prosper | Canis lupus familiaris | Latin | Prosperous; successful |
| Puck | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Mischievous sprite (Shakespearean) |
| Puddles | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Diminutive of puddle; playful nickname |
| Pueblo | Canis lupus familiaris | Spanish | Town or village |
| Pudge | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Small and stout (nickname) |
| Pudgey | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Variant of Pudge; small and stout |
| Puff | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Soft exhalation; puff of air |
| Pugsley | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Surname used as given name |
| Pulcinella | Canis lupus familiaris | Italian | Comical character from commedia dell’arte |
| Puma | Canis lupus familiaris | Quechua/Spanish | Cougar; mountain lion |
| Punch | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Fight or a drink; lively nickname |
| Purdie | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Surname-derived pet name |
| Purcell | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Little pig (Old French) |
| Pursley | Canis lupus familiaris | English | Surname-origin name |
| Puzo | Canis lupus familiaris | Italian | Surname of author Mario Puzo |
| Pyotr | Canis lupus familiaris | Russian | Russian form of Peter: rock |
| Pyrrhus | Canis lupus familiaris | Greek | Flame-colored, red-haired |
| Pythagoras | Canis lupus familiaris | Greek | Name of mathematician; “figure of speech” |
Descriptions
Pablo
Spanish form of Paul; classic human name often used for friendly, medium-sized dogs.
Paco
Nickname for Francisco; lively, short name popular in Spanish-speaking contexts.
Paavo
Finnish variant of Paul; suits compact or sturdy breeds and nods to Nordic roots.
Paddy
Casual Irish nickname for Patrick; warm, approachable name for family dogs.
Padraig
Traditional Gaelic spelling of Patrick; good for owners wanting Celtic flair.
Paxton
Surname-turned-first-name; modern-sounding choice with a calm meaning.
Palmer
Old English occupational surname; evocative and gentle-sounding for companion dogs.
Pancho
Common Spanish nickname for Francisco; spirited, friendly feel for lively pups.
Pan
Name of the Greek god Pan; evokes playful, mischievous energy.
Parker
Popular surname-name; crisp, modern, suits active or outdoor-loving dogs.
Pascal
Name linked to Easter (Latin pascha); refined and slightly scholarly.
Pasquale
Italian form related to Pascal; warm, traditional Italian choice.
Pat
Friendly short form of Patrick; casual and easy to call at the dog park.
Pate
Shortened form used in French contexts; concise and distinguished.
Patrice
French masculine form of Patrick; elegant and slightly formal.
Patrick
Classic name with centuries of use; familiar and dignified choice for dogs.
Pavel
Eastern European form of Paul; short, strong-sounding, good for medium breeds.
Pawel
Polish variant (often written Paweł); distinctive European flavor for a male dog.
Pasha
In Russian a pet form of Pavel; also a historic Turkish title—gives a regal air.
Pax
Short and modern; ideal for calm dogs or owners who value serenity.
Pepe
Spanish nickname for José; playful, peppy choice for small to medium dogs.
Pepin
Medieval Frankish name (Pepin the Short); historic and uncommon, with a punchy sound.
Percy
Short, classic English name with aristocratic literary associations.
Percival
Arthurian name; chivalric and distinctive for noble-tempered dogs.
Perry
Originally a surname from Old English; friendly, down-to-earth name.
Pete
Casual, strongly monosyllabic nickname; easy to train and call.
Peter
Biblical and classic; timeless human name often used for pets.
Piers
Medieval English variant of Peter; short and slightly literary.
Pierce
Surname-derived given name; crisp and bold-sounding for confident dogs.
Pierre
French classic with continental flair; elegant on medium and small breeds.
Pietro
Italian equivalent of Peter; warm, melodic choice.
Piero
Alternative Italian form; artistic associations (e.g., painters) suit cultured owners.
Pinto
Common surname and nickname; often used for dogs with patchy coats.
Pip
Tiny, lively nickname popularized by literature (e.g., Great Expectations).
Pippin
Playful name made familiar by Tolkien and medieval history; suits small, cheerful dogs.
Pipin
Rare variant of Pepin; historical resonance, strong single-syllable sound.
Piro
Short, punchy name with Mediterranean flavor.
Pistachio
(Excluded: common noun seldom used as formal name)
Plato
Ancient Greek name famous for the philosopher; scholarly and dignified option.
Pluto
Famous as Mickey Mouse’s dog; playful cultural reference and strong monosyllable.
Polo
Short, adventurous-sounding name with travel or sporting connotations.
Pongo
Name of the canine protagonist in Dodie Smith’s 101 Dalmatians; iconic dog-name reference.
Poncho
Casual, friendly nickname with Latin American roots; suits relaxed, genial dogs.
Pope
Title used occasionally as a bold pet name for a dignified or authoritative dog.
Porter
Surname-turned-first-name; sturdy, down-to-earth choice for working breeds.
Poseidon
Name of the Greek sea god; dramatic and powerful—fits large, water-loving breeds.
Potter
Surname-first-name with literary ties; warm and familiar-sounding.
Prancer
Famous as a reindeer’s name; playful, energetic choice for lively dogs.
Presley
Surname made famous by Elvis Presley; musical or vintage vibe for stylish dogs.
Preston
English surname used as given name; smart, urbane feel.
Prince
Title used as a name for dogs with regal bearing or lofty personality.
Primo
Italian for “first” or “cousin”; upbeat, confident short name.
Princeton
Place-name surname sometimes used as a given name; scholarly association.
Prospero
Shakespearean name (The Tempest); cultured, theatrical choice for clever dogs.
Prosper
Old-fashioned human name with a positive, hopeful meaning.
Puck
Name of Shakespeare’s impish character; perfect for a playful, mischievous pup.
Puddles
Casual pet nickname (often for water-loving dogs); informal and affectionate.
Pueblo
(Excluded: primarily a place name; rarely used as a given pet name)
Pudge
Informal nickname sometimes used for stocky or small dogs; affectionate and playful.
Pudgey
Cutesy variant of Pudge; often used as an affectionate pet nickname.
Puff
(Excluded: descriptive sound-based nickname rather than formal name)
Pugsley
Name made famous by The Addams Family; cheeky and characterful.
Pulcinella
Dramatic theatrical name; best for theatrical or expressive dogs.
Puma
(Excluded: animal species name commonly not used as formal given name)
Punch
Short, punchy nickname; energetic feel for spirited dogs.
Purdie
Surname adopted as a quirky first name; informal and friendly.
Purcell
Surname sometimes used as a given name; quaint and old-fashioned.
Pursley
Surname-turned-first-name; uncommon but distinguished.
Puzo
Surnames as names nod to literary figures; strong, terse sound.
Pyotr
Russian variant of Peter; formal and robust for large-breed dogs.
Pyrrhus
Ancient Greek name; fiery, strong-sounding choice for bold dogs.
Pythagoras
Classical name from Greek philosopher; nerdy and distinctive option.