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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446 English Baby Names Meaning, Starting With P

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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
Parker	Boy	Keeper of the park; Cultivated land
Piper	Girl	Pipe player
Preston	Boy	One who is from the priest's settlement or town
Payton	Girl	Fighter's estate; Noble
Prince	Boy	Royal descendant
Poppy	Girl	Red flowering plant
Paislee	Girl	From Paisley; Church; Pasture
Princeton	Boy	One who comes from the princely town
Priscilla	Girl	Ancient; Archaic
Pearl	Girl	Precious; A gem of the sea

Paulina	Girl	Small; Humble
Princess	Girl	Royal daughter; Daughter of the monarch; Precious
Paityn	Girl	Pæga's town; Fighting man's estate
Palmer	Boy	A Palm tree belonging to the holy tree
Pierre	Boy	One who is tough as a rock
Promise	Girl	Promise; Pledge; Vow
Perla	Girl	Sea mollusk gem
Preslee	Girl	Priest's meadow; Priest's clearing
Presley	Boy	Priest's meadow
Pippa	Girl	Lover of horses

Perry	Girl	Traveler; Pilgrim; Foreigner
Precious	Unisex	Valuable, cherished, unique
Pyper	Girl	A female pipe player
Primrose	Girl	The very first rose
Posie	Girl	A bunch of flowers
Penn	Boy	One who belongs to a meadow
Priscila	Girl	Ancient
Preslie	Girl	Priest's meadow; Priest's clearing
Price	Boy	Son of the ardent one; Enthusiasm
Paizley	Girl	A colorful and intricate pattern used in textiles

Prudence	Girl	Wise; Skilled; Good judgement
Patton	Boy	He belongs to warrior's town
Paizlee	Girl	A church; A pattern used in textile design
Pryce	Boy	Son of the ardent one; Enthusiasm
Payson	Boy	Son of Pays; Peace; Small; Humble
Polly	Girl	Bitter; Lost lost child; Humble
Promyse	Girl	Promise; A pledge; A variant spelling is Promise
Payten	Girl	One who is multi talented and perfect individual
Posey	Girl	A woman who is like the bunch of flowers
Passion	Girl	One with a strong desire or passion

Prescott	Boy	The cottage that belongs to the priest
Paxon	Boy	One who is deeply quiet and understanding
Payden	Boy	One who is from a fighter's farm
Purcell	Boy	An occupational name for a swineherd
Prestin	Boy	One who is from the priest's farm
Paetyn	Girl	Royal; Little Patrician; Little Noble
Peach	Girl	Persian fruit
Pike	Boy	A Spear; Stone; Rock; Hill point; Sharp; Pointed; Fisherman
Purity	Girl	An innocence; Cleanness. A pure person
Patterson	Boy	One who is the son of curly headed one

Purvis	Boy	One who obtains supplies for the manor house or the monastery
Perrie	Girl	One with lot of power and energy
Prentice	Boy	A pupil; A learner of the trade
Potter	Boy	One who makes storage and drinking vessels
Peterson	Boy	The son of Peter
Prentiss	Boy	A person who is a scholar; A learner
Pacen	Boy	Son of peace; Humble; The sea
Park	Boy	One who lives near park
Pepper	Boy	Related to a spice; Berry
Philo	Boy	Beloved; Lover; Friend; Partner

Pj	Unisex	Abbreviation of first and middle names; J usually stands for Junior
Parnell	Boy	One who is appreciated and lovable
Pruitt	Unisex	Brave; Valiant
Parham	Boy	Habitational name; Pear farm
Pollyanna	Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished-for child; Beloved; Love; Favor; Grace
Prosper	Girl	Fortunate; Successful
Prue	Girl	A woman whose judgment is good
Powers	Boy	One who is powerful, skillful, strong
Pride	Unisex	Arrogance; Self-importance
Pauletta	Girl	Little; Humble; From the name Pauline; A variant of Paul

Pearson	Girl	Son of Peter; Rock; Stone; Son of Pierce
Polaris	Girl	The North Star; Pole Star; Brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor
Pinkie	Girl	Color pink; Noblewoman
Poet	Girl	Creator; Maker; Author; Poet; Compose; Messenger
Poppi	Unisex	Vibrant red poppy flower
Pearlie	Girl	Pearl; Precious; A gem of the sea; Jewel
Parish	Boy	From Paris; From the Parisii tribe; Nobleman
Pennington	Boy	An enclosed meadow; A habitational name
Peaches	Girl	Peach; Persian fruit
Pearla	Girl	A precious and loving being

Penda	Girl	Admired; Loved; Beloved; Pleasant; Brave; Third child
Poppie	Girl	Poppy flower
Posy	Girl	A small flower
Portland	Unisex	City in Oregon
Prestan	Boy	One who is from the priest's town
Pervis	Boy	Passage; Courtyard; Porch of a church
Prisma	Girl	Prism
Patti	Girl	Noble women; Of noble birth; Lady; Mistress
Paxtin	Boy	From the peaceful town; A variant of Paxton
Pratt	Boy	A crafty, tricky person

Prentis	Boy	An apprentice of someone
Pal	Boy	Small; Humble; Companion; Friend; Move; Protect
Pat	Boy	A regal and noble individual
Phelps	Boy	One who is born to love horses
Parson	Boy	An occupational name for a priest
Pressley	Boy	To come from the priest's meadow
Persayis	Girl	Little; Humble; A feminine variant of Paul
Pattie	Girl	Noble women; Of noble birth; Lady; Mistress
Pemberley	Girl	A diplomatic and natty individual
Parley	Girl	One who speaks very good

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Infographic: Popular English Baby Names Meaning, Starting With P

English Baby Names Meaning, 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 Meaning, Starting With P(infographic)

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