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Baby Boy Names That Begin With P

Popular and Unusual Male Name Choices

Mar 18, 2008 Naomi Rockler-Gladen

From Patrick and Peter to Preston and Paxton, here are some common and uncommon names for little boys that start with the letter P.

If you're looking for a trendy baby boy name that begins with the letter P, you won't find many choices-- but you will find lots of classic names, like Patrick, Paul, and Peter. According to the U.S. Social Security Baby Name Index, none of the top 100 male names in 2006 began with the letter P. Here's a selection of popular and unusual classic names that begin with this letter.

Popular & Trendy Baby Boy Names that Start With P

Patrick. Ranked at #110 in 2006, this Irish favorite was the highest ranked baby boy P name. It's been declining in popularity since the 1990s. Patrick comes from a Latin name that means "aristocrat."
Paul. Like Patrick, this New Testament name is popular but falling down the rankings-- down to #134 in 2006. Paul comes from a Latin name that means "small." The Spanish version, Pablo, is slowly becoming more common in the United States.
Preston. If you like masculine sounding last-name-turned-first-names, here's one that hasn't become as trendy as names like Mason and Hunter. It ranked at #114 in 2006. Preston comes from an Old English name that means "priest settlement." It is occasionally used as a girl's name as well.
Parker. Here's another last-name-turned-first-name that's slowly becoming more common. Parker ranked at #116 in 2006. Parker comes from an English expression that means "park keeper."
Peyton & Payton. This funky English place name looks like a name trend waiting to happen. Peyton ranked at #154 in 2006, and Payton ranked at #267. The name is about equally common for girls.
Peter. Down to #167 in 2006, Peter is definitely beginning to fall from favor. Peter comes from a Greek name that means "rock." The Spanish version, Pedro, also is less popular than it used to be.

Unusual Baby Boy Names that Start With P

Philip/Phillip. Moderately popular before and during the Baby Boom, Philip is a classic name that isn't used much anymore. The name comes from a Greek name that means "horse lover."
Phoenix. Western place names are hot, so it's surprising this one isn't more widely used. Perhaps it will rise out of the ashes, like the mythical bird called the phoenix. Phoenix is sometimes used for a girl's name as well.
Porter, Pierce, Perry, & Paxton. Here's a small collection of last-name-turned-first-names that aren't very common, so snatch these up if you like the craze but don't want a popular name. Porter is from an Old English expression that means "gatekeeper." Pierce is from an English name that means "rock." Perry comes from an English name that means "wanderer." Paxton is an Old English place name.