This list includes 56 Male names that start with P, from “Paavo” to “Pádraig”. They span many languages and traditions, from ancient Greek and Latin to modern Scandinavian and Irish usage.
Male names that start with P are male given names beginning with the letter P across many languages. Names like “Peter” and “Patrick” show biblical and Celtic influence on P names.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, Notable bearer, and Popularity.
Name: The name itself as commonly spelled, so you can scan and pick the exact form you prefer.
Origin: The language or culture where the name originated, helping you understand cultural background and usage.
Meaning: A concise meaning or root sense, useful if you select names for symbolism or family themes.
Notable bearer: A famous or historical person who used the name, offering context and recognizable associations for your choice.
Popularity: A brief note on frequency or modern usage, helping you judge rarity and trends in different regions.
Male names that start with P
| Name | Origin/Culture | Meaning | Popularity/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter | Greek | Stone | One of the most common Western names. |
| Paul | Latin | Small, humble | A perennial classic in many countries. |
| Patrick | Latin | Nobleman, patrician | Patron saint of Ireland. |
| Philip | Greek | Lover of horses | A classic royal name in Europe. |
| Parker | Old English | Park keeper | Top 200 name in the US. |
| Pablo | Spanish | Small, humble | Famous bearer: artist Pablo Picasso. |
| Phoenix | Greek | Dark red, crimson | Trendy unisex name, popular for boys. |
| Preston | Old English | Priest’s town | A popular surname-name choice. |
| Paxton | Old English | Pacc’s town | A modern name with a trendy ‘x’. |
| Pedro | Spanish, Portuguese | Stone | Popular in Iberia and Latin America. |
| Pierce | English, Welsh | Son of Piers | A sharp, sophisticated alternative to Peter. |
| Pierre | French | Stone | The quintessential French form of Peter. |
| Percy | Old French | Pierce valley | Aristocratic and literary (Percy Shelley). |
| Phineas | Hebrew, Egyptian | Oracle, or the Nubian | A quirky, vintage name gaining popularity. |
| Porter | Old French | Gatekeeper, carrier | A sturdy and popular occupational name. |
| Pavel | Slavic | Small, humble | The common Slavic form of Paul. |
| Pascal | French, Latin | Relating to Easter | Traditionally for boys born during Easter. |
| Paolo | Italian | Small, humble | A classic, romantic Italian name. |
| Parth | Indian (Sanskrit) | Ruler, king, archer | A popular name in India. |
| Peregrine | Latin | Traveler, pilgrim | An elegant, aristocratic, and rare name. |
| Pranav | Indian (Sanskrit) | The sacred sound Om | A very popular and spiritual Indian name. |
| Pietro | Italian | Stone | The strong and classic Italian form of Peter. |
| Pius | Latin | Pious, dutiful | Borne by twelve popes. |
| Plato | Greek | Broad-shouldered | Name of the great ancient philosopher. |
| Ptolemy | Greek | Warlike | Ancient name of Greek-Egyptian kings. |
| Pericles | Greek | Surrounded by glory | Famous Athenian statesman of antiquity. |
| Pryce | Welsh | Son of Rhys | A traditional Welsh name. |
| Paris | Greek | Mythical Trojan prince | A chic, unisex mythological name. |
| Peyton | English | Pæga’s town | A popular unisex name, from a surname. |
| Palmer | Old English | Palm bearer, pilgrim | A gentle and stylish occupational name. |
| Piotr | Polish, Russian | Stone | The primary Polish and Russian form of Peter. |
| Paco | Spanish | Diminutive of Francisco | A friendly and energetic Spanish nickname. |
| Pepin | Frankish | Meaning uncertain | Name of early Frankish kings. |
| Perry | Welsh, English | Pear tree, or son of Harry | A friendly, mid-century classic. |
| Presley | Old English | Priest’s meadow | Unisex name, linked to Elvis Presley. |
| Princeton | English | Prince’s town | A preppy, Ivy League place name. |
| Prosper | Latin | Fortunate, successful | A positive and hopeful virtue name. |
| Phelan | Irish | Wolf | An evocative and rare Irish name. |
| Piers | Old French | Norman form of Peter | A classic, medieval name. |
| Patrice | French | Nobleman | French form of Patrick; unisex in English. |
| Prakash | Indian (Sanskrit) | Light, bright | A common and positive name in India. |
| Pawan | Indian (Sanskrit) | Wind, air | A nature name popular in India. |
| Payam | Persian | Message | A gentle and poetic Persian name. |
| Parviz | Persian | Fortunate, victorious | A classic Persian royal name. |
| Pepe | Spanish | Diminutive of José | A lively and common Spanish nickname. |
| Primo | Italian, Spanish | First | Traditionally for the firstborn son. |
| Philo | Greek | Love | An ancient name with a warm meaning. |
| Penn | Welsh, English | Head, enclosure | A short, strong, one-syllable name. |
| Pharaoh | Egyptian | Great house | A bold and regal title name. |
| Poet | English | A writer of poems | A modern, artistic word name. |
| Pasquale | Italian | Relating to Easter | The classic Italian form of Pascal. |
| Paavo | Finnish, Estonian | Small | A classic Finnish form of Paul. |
| Pádraig | Irish | Nobleman | The traditional Irish Gaelic form of Patrick. |
| Pontus | Greek, Swedish | The sea | A popular name in Sweden. |
| Pinchas | Hebrew | Oracle, or dark-skinned | A biblical name with a strong sound. |
| Placido | Spanish, Italian | Calm, tranquil | Associated with opera singer Plácido Domingo. |
Descriptions
Peter
A timeless classic, borne by one of Jesus’s apostles. It has numerous popular variations across the globe, such as Pedro, Pierre, and Piotr, reflecting its enduring appeal.
Paul
A major figure in early Christianity, his influence made this name a steadfast choice for centuries. It suggests quiet strength and is known for its classic, sophisticated feel.
Patrick
Synonymous with Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day, this name has a friendly and strong appeal. It’s often shortened to the affable Pat or Paddy.
Philip
An ancient name borne by apostles and kings, including Alexander the Great’s father. It has a regal, traditional feel and is often shortened to Phil.
Parker
A trendy and friendly occupational surname-turned-given-name. It feels modern, approachable, and fits in well with other popular names like Carter and Cooper.
Pablo
The vibrant Spanish version of Paul. It’s a widely recognized and beloved name with a strong artistic and cultural resonance, popular in Spanish-speaking regions.
Phoenix
A powerful and symbolic name representing rebirth and immortality from the mythical bird. It has a modern, cool, and mystical vibe that appeals to many parents today.
Preston
A sophisticated English place name and surname that has become a popular choice for boys. It sounds polished and established, offering a preppy and distinguished feel.
Paxton
Part of the popular “x” trend in boys’ names, Paxton is a stylish and energetic choice. It feels contemporary and strong, often shortened to the cute nickname Pax.
Pedro
The Spanish and Portuguese equivalent of Peter, this name is a robust classic. It’s strong, traditional, and instantly recognizable across many cultures.
Pierce
A strong and polished name derived from Piers, a form of Peter. It has a crisp, one-syllable sound and feels both classic and contemporary.
Pierre
An effortlessly chic and classic French name that feels sophisticated and international. It’s the Gallic equivalent of Peter, borne by many notable figures.
Percy
A name with a gentle, vintage charm and aristocratic English roots. It has strong literary connections and has been revived by the popular *Percy Jackson* book series.
Phineas
A distinctive biblical name with a distinguished, old-fashioned charm. Often shortened to Finn, it feels both unique and familiar.
Porter
A strong, handsome occupational name that feels grounded and reliable. It’s part of the trend for using surnames as first names and has a rugged appeal.
Pavel
A staple in Russia, the Czech Republic, and other Slavic nations. It’s a strong, classic name with a distinctly Eastern European feel.
Pascal
A charming and gentle name with religious and seasonal connections. It’s also associated with the brilliant French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal.
Paolo
The smooth and stylish Italian form of Paul. It has a romantic, continental flair and is a timeless choice in Italy and beyond.
Parth
A name for the hero Arjuna in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. It’s a strong and meaningful name that signifies royalty and skill.
Peregrine
A sophisticated and adventurous name with a romantic, literary quality. It’s associated with travel and is often shortened to the more common Perry or the jaunty Pip.
Pranav
A deeply meaningful name in Hinduism, representing the primordial sound of the universe. It’s both modern-sounding and rich in cultural and spiritual significance.
Pietro
A powerful and operatic-sounding name that is the Italian version of Peter. It’s a timeless choice with a rich cultural history.
Pius
A name with deep roots in Roman history and the Catholic Church. It conveys a sense of seriousness, duty, and tradition.
Plato
An intelligent and historic name forever linked to one of the founders of Western philosophy. It’s a bold choice that signals intellectual depth.
Ptolemy
A historic and powerful name associated with the famous astronomer and the dynasty that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great. It is a unique and intellectual choice.
Pericles
A commanding and historic name linked to the Golden Age of Athens. It’s a powerful and rare choice for parents who love ancient history.
Pryce
A crisp and energetic Welsh name that’s a variant spelling of Price. It has a modern, brisk sound while being rooted in Celtic history.
Paris
While used for girls, Paris has ancient roots as a male name from the Trojan War hero. It feels sophisticated, romantic, and modern.
Peyton
A preppy and popular surname-name that works well for boys. It has a friendly, modern feel that has kept it in style for decades.
Palmer
A sophisticated surname-name that evokes the image of medieval pilgrims. It’s a soft yet strong choice that feels both vintage and on-trend.
Piotr
A strong and solid Slavic classic, equivalent to Peter. It’s a widely used name with a powerful feel, often associated with composer Tchaikovsky.
Paco
A common and friendly nickname for Francisco, Paco stands well on its own as a lively, approachable name with a distinct Spanish flair.
Pepin
A historic and quirky name from the early Middle Ages, borne by rulers like Pepin the Short, father of Charlemagne. It’s distinctive and strong.
Perry
A sweet and approachable name that was popular in the mid-20th century. It has a gentle, unassuming charm and is making a quiet comeback.
Presley
Forever tied to the “King of Rock and Roll,” Presley is a cool, musical surname-name used for both boys and girls. It has a charismatic, modern vibe.
Princeton
An aspirational and distinguished name that evokes the prestigious university. It’s a bold, preppy choice that signals intellect and status.
Prosper
An old-fashioned name with a wonderfully optimistic meaning. It’s a rare but strong choice that wishes a child success and good fortune in life.
Phelan
Derived from the Gaelic name Faolán, Phelan is a strong yet gentle-sounding name with a powerful connection to nature.
Piers
A sophisticated and historic variation of Peter that was popular in the Middle Ages. It feels more distinctive and aristocratic than its more common counterpart.
Patrice
The smooth, elegant French version of Patrick. While used for both genders in English-speaking countries, it has a sophisticated, continental feel for a boy.
Prakash
A classic and widely used Indian name with a luminous and optimistic meaning. It’s a traditional choice that remains popular across different regions.
Pawan
A poetic and evocative name from India that means “wind.” It has a gentle but powerful feel, connected to the natural world and the Hindu wind god, Vayu.
Payam
A soft-sounding and meaningful name from Persia. It has a literary and thoughtful quality, perfect for a parent who loves poetic names.
Parviz
A strong and historic name of Persian origin, borne by ancient kings. It has a regal and powerful sound, signifying victory and good fortune.
Pepe
While a nickname for José (Joseph), Pepe is widely used as a standalone name in Spanish cultures. It’s friendly, energetic, and instantly recognizable.
Primo
A straightforward and confident name with a clear meaning. It’s a classic choice in Italy and Spain for the oldest boy in a family.
Philo
A short and sweet ancient Greek name that means “love.” It’s a rare and intellectual choice, perfect for parents looking for a simple name with a deep meaning.
Penn
A minimalist and cool name with Celtic roots. It’s effortlessly stylish and associated with actor Penn Badgley and Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn.
Pharaoh
A powerful and majestic name taken from the title of ancient Egyptian rulers. It’s an ultra-confident and unique choice that makes a grand statement.
Poet
A creative and expressive name for a boy, this choice is straightforwardly artistic. It’s a contemporary pick that appeals to parents in creative fields.
Pasquale
A warm and traditional Italian name with strong ties to the Easter holiday. It feels classic, friendly, and deeply rooted in Italian culture.
Paavo
A friendly and approachable name popular in Finland and Estonia. It is the Finnish equivalent of Paul and is well-known through several famous Finns.
Pádraig
For those seeking an authentic Irish connection, Pádraig is the original spelling of Patrick. It’s a classic choice that honors Celtic heritage.
Pontus
An ancient name with a strong connection to the sea, as Pontus was a pre-Olympian sea god in Greek mythology. It is now a stylish and common name in Sweden.
Pinchas
The Hebrew form of Phinehas, this name appears in the Old Testament. It’s a strong, traditional choice with deep religious roots.
Placido
A gentle and serene name that means “calm.” It has a musical and peaceful quality, best known through the famous Spanish tenor.