By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 15 pages
of 15
Arabic
"a green gemstone"
Peridot is the gem of the month of August, a vibrant green mineral, said to be good for helping people put the past behind them, and an interesting, undiscovered jewel name. It was regarded in…
English
"little Peter"
Perkin sounds a bit Hobbit-ish as a full name, but it might make a good honor name or nickname for a boy called Peter.
Perkins is an uncommon masculine given name that originated as an English surname. It developed as a patronymic form meaning 'son of Peter' or 'son of Piers,' with the '-kins' suffix being a…
Perlita is a charming feminine name of Spanish origin, functioning as a diminutive of 'perla,' meaning 'pearl.' This endearing name conveys preciousness and delicate beauty. In Hispanic cultures,…
Cornish
"little dark one"
Also spelled as Piran, this Cornish saint's name is thought to have derived from the Irish Ciaran. Borne by a 5th-century monk who founded a monastery, it also appears as a place name in Cornwall, as…
Feminine variation of Perry or Peter, English or Greek
"dweller near a pear tree or rock, stone"
Five girls were given the name Perrine last year. Other feminine Perry or Peter alternatives are Perrin, Perry, or even Petra.
Place name
An unexplored choice, evocative of the snowcapped Andes, with a pleasant, catchy sound.
Native American, Blackfoot,or Greek, "golden eagle, or rock, stone"
"golden eagle, or rock, stone"
Too tightly tied to the acronym for the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
English from Greek
"leaf"
Petal is the soft and sweet-smelling name of a character in the novel and film, The Shipping News . With the rise of such flower names as Poppy and Posy, we believe Petal — down-to-earth yet romantic…
Petey is a masculine name traditionally used as an affectionate diminutive of Peter, which derives from the Greek 'Petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' This nickname-as-given-name carries a boyish…
Roman and Italian feminine variation of Petronius
"yokel, woodpecker, stone"
Petronilla is an ancient saint's name that relates to the Roman family name Petronius, thought to mean yokel or woodpecker, though some connect it with Petra or Peter, meaning stone. With the…
"trumpet-shaped flower"
Literary heritage: the "Loony Tunes" girlfriend of Porky Pig. But with the increasing popularity of all kinds of unusual botanical names, Petunia may be a name we start to hear more of.…
Finnish
"deer"
Most commonly seen as a surname in Finland, where it means "deer." Maybe for a Christmas baby.
Greek
"supreme gift"
A bit pharmaceutical, not to mention hatlike.
Greek, Zulu, Xhosa
"lover, friend; to live of life"
In the Zulu and Xhosa languages of Southern Africa, Phila is a unisex name pronounced "PEE-la" and means "to live of life" It's also the feminine version of the ancient Greek name Philo, pronounced…
French from Greek, "dear, beloved"
"dear, beloved"
Varying Filbert does not improve the name: it still makes one think of a nut.
"friendly-minded"
Philophrosyne was the spirit of welcome, friendliness, and kindness in Greek Mythology. She was one of the four younger Charites.
Dutch
"love"
This Dutch name stems from the Greek root word "philos" meaning "love". It is relatively common in the Netherlands.
"tremor"
Phrike (rhymes with Nike) is the Greek goddess of horror. Her name is derived from the Greek phrittō , meaning "to tremble."
"toad"
A name with a less conventional animal meaning, rescued by the reputation of the Greek courtesan Phryne (more beautiful than Aphrodite, one of the wealthiest women in classical Athens) and the…
