Cool Baby Names That Start with P

Peace may be an admirable sentiment to convey in a child's name, but the translated and thus more subtle versions, like Pax or Placido, might work better as first names.

Parrish is unrelated — but often said to be related — to the English word "parish". Instead, the surname arose as a designator for one who lived in Paris.

Powerful surname choice with many distinguished bearers, fresher sounding than Parker.

The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.

Common surname rarely used as a first.

This rare name crosses cultures. With the popularity of Ella and Bella, perhaps we'll hear more of Pella one day soon?

Variation of Pema.

Pembroke's brother.

Patterson is an upscale name worth considering if you're looking to continue a line of Peters, but soundalike Paterson is a downscale city in New Jersey.

Calm, straightforward, patrician sounding: Pace is one new-style name that's well-grounded.

A Puritanical virtue name and also a place name, belonging to the state capital of Rhode Island and several other towns and cities in the US.

In British slang, a "prat" is an idiot -- enough said.

Penzance is a port town at the very tip of Cornwall. With its associations with operetta and pirates, Penzance packs quite a bit of zip for a name.

The name Persia derives from Avestan Parsa, the name of the Indo-European nomadic people who migrated into southern Iran in about 1000 BCE. Persis or Persea, the feminine form of Perseus, feel more namelike.

Pompeo is a masculine name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin name 'Pompeius,' which was a Roman family name. Historically, it's associated with the ancient Roman general Pompey the Great (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus). The name carries connotations of strength, leadership, and classical heritage. In modern times, Pompeo functions primarily as a surname in Italian communities, though it occasionally appears as a first name. It gained some recognition in the United States through public figures like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and actress Ellen Pompeo. The name has a melodic quality with its strong 'o' sounds and projects an air of sophistication and classical education.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress brought this name, which was inherited from an uncle, into the mix, adding to the category of names with peaceful meanings.

Placido was commonly used by early Christians to convey their serenity in the faith, and it was borne by several minor saints.

A popular female name in India, Priti (or Preeti) is a sweet and pretty-sounding option.

Padgett is an occupational surname name related to page, meaning not a page in a book but a page or attendant in the Senate or a royal court.

This rare English surname's most famous bearers are Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie: the four siblings who are the protagonists of C. S. Lewis' Narnia books. It probably derives from Pevensey, the name of the bay in East Sussex, England where William the Conqueror landed in 1066.