What customs and traditions are associated with English baby names?

English naming customs typically involve three elements - a given name, a middle name (s), and a family name. The British follow a patrilineal naming system where the child inherits their fathers family name. However, following the patrilineal naming system is not mandatory. Instead, parents have the freedom to choose their childs last name. Some parents could also give their child the mothers last name. In contrast, others may provide both mother and father surnames in a hyphenated form, reflecting the flexibility in English naming traditions and customs.

How do English baby names reflect a person's heritage?

English naming conventions are diverse, encompassing people from different religions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Many parents may opt for names that mirror their ethnic and cultural connections. For example, parents of Irish heritage may choose titles like Liam. On the other hand, those of Greek origin might opt for names like Sophia or Alexander. Parents may also pick names that reflect their regional heritage. For example, Devon and Kent are names inspired by specific regions or places within England. Furthermore, many families pass down names from one generation to another or choose monikers inspired by literary and historical figures.

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610 English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With P

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

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Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Name	Gender	Meaning
Penelope	Girl	Weaver; Duck
Parker	Boy	Keeper of the park
Piper	Girl	Pipe player; Pepper
Peyton	Girl	Fighting man's estate; Warrior's town
Patrick	Boy	Nobleman
Peter	Boy	Rock; Stone
Preston	Boy	One who is from the priest's settlement or town
Phoebe	Girl	Bright; Radiant
Phoenix	Boy	A bird that gets reborn from ashes; Dark red; Excellent person
Paul	Boy	One who is humble and small

Payton	Girl	Fighter's estate; Noble; Descendant of Peatan
Prince	Boy	Royal descendant
Poppy	Girl	Red flowering plant
Paislee	Girl	From Paisley; Church; Pasture
Porter	Boy	One who guards the gates
Philip	Boy	Horse lover
Princeton	Boy	Prince town
Pierce	Boy	Rock; Stone; Son of Piers
Phillip	Boy	Horse lover
Priscilla	Girl	Ancient; Archaic

Penny	Girl	A coin; Weaver; Duck
Pearl	Girl	Precious; A gem of the sea
Paulina	Girl	Small; Humble
Paisleigh	Girl	Church
Princess	Girl	Daughter of the monarch; Royal daughter
Paityn	Girl	Pæga's town; Fighting man's estate
Palmer	Boy	Pilgrim; Palm tree
Patience	Unisex	To suffer
Patricia	Girl	Noble
Promise	Girl	Promise; Pledge; Vow

Perla	Girl	Sea mollusk gem
Pierson	Boy	Rock; Son of Peter
Pharaoh	Boy	Great house
Petra	Girl	Rock; Stone
Preslee	Girl	Priest's meadow; Priest's clearing
Presley	Boy	Priest's meadow
Pippa	Girl	Lover of horses
Percy	Boy	One who pierces the valley
Perry	Girl	Traveler; Pilgrim; Foreigner; Pear tree; Son of Herry; Home ruler
Precious	Unisex	Price; Worth

Pyper	Girl	One who plays the pipe or flute
Primrose	Girl	The very first rose
Posie	Girl	A bunch of flowers; He will add
Penn	Boy	Head; Top; Hill
Paris	Boy	Lover; Capital city of France
Preslie	Girl	Priest's meadow; Priest's clearing
Price	Boy	Son of the ardent one; Enthusiasm
Paizley	Girl	Church; Pattern commonly found on fabrics
Prudence	Girl	Wise; Skilled; Good judgement; Prudent
Patton	Boy	He belongs to warrior's town; Nobleman; Brash warrior

Paizlee	Girl	A church
Pryce	Boy	Son of the ardent one; Enthusiasm
Payson	Boy	Son of Pays; Peace; Small; Humble
Parks	Unisex	Park keeper; Park enclosure; Stone
Polly	Girl	Bitter; Lost lost child; Humble
Percival	Boy	Pierce the valley; Hard spears
Promyse	Girl	Promise; A pledge
Priest	Girl	A religious leader authorized to perform rituals; To throw
Payten	Girl	Warrior's estate; Peacock town; Fighting man's estate
Pace	Boy	Peace; Peacemaker

Posey	Girl	A bunch of flowers; He will add
Pauline	Girl	Small; Humble
Peace	Girl	Tranquility
Perrin	Boy	Rock
Passion	Girl	To suffer; To endure
Praise	Unisex	Price; Worth
Prescott	Boy	The cottage that belongs to the priest
Perri	Girl	Pear tree; Son of Herry; Home ruler
Paradise	Unisex	Heaven; The garden of Eden
Paxon	Boy	Peace

Phoenyx	Unisex	Mythical bird; Dark red
Pryor	Boy	One who worked for a Prior; Superior; Monastic leader
Payden	Boy	Small; Humble
Penina	Girl	One who resembles pearl
Paxson	Unisex	Son of peace; From Paxton
Paw	Unisex	Arise; Emerge; Appear; Soft foot of a mammal
Purcell	Boy	An occupational name for a swineherd; Piglet; Pig
Prestin	Boy	One who is from the priest's farm
Polo	Boy	Freer of horses; Bold or brave people
Priam	Boy	Redeemed; Beloved

Paetyn	Girl	One from the Paega's town
Phenix	Unisex	Dark red; A mythical bird symbolizing rebirth and renewal
Peggy	Girl	Pearl; Child of light
Parris	Girl	Lover; Capital city of France
Peach	Girl	Persian fruit
Pernell	Boy	Little rock
Pharrell	Boy	A man of valor
Pike	Boy	A Spear; Stone; Rock; Hill point; Sharp; Pointed; Fisherman
Purity	Girl	Innocence; Freedom from immorality
Patterson	Boy	Son of Patrick

Prim	Girl	First; Very first; First rose
Paisyn	Unisex	Paega's town; Small and Humble
Purvis	Boy	Provider of food; Purveyor
Perrie	Girl	Pear tree; Son of Herry; Home ruler
Phil	Boy	A lover or friend of horses; Friend; Beloved
Prentice	Boy	A pupil; A learner of the trade
Potter	Boy	One who makes storage and drinking vessels
Peterson	Boy	The son of Peter; Stone
Prentiss	Boy	Apprentice; A learner
Pixie	Girl	A tiny, green, pointy-eared fairy

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Infographic: Popular English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With P

English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With P are a beautiful blend of cultural values and traditions. In addition to being deeply meaningful, they carry stories of heritage and hopes for the future. Our infographic below shares some charming choices that are distinct, elegant, and timeless. Explore the list to find a name that would be an added gem to your child's shining personality. Share this infographic with other expecting parents and help them find a rare jewel for their children.

English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With P(infographic)

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.