Italian Names that Start With P

  1. Pippa
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Philippa
    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"
    • Description:

      Pippa, a peppy condensation of Philippa that turns it from serious to sprightly, has come into the public eye in a big way via the former Kate Middleton's sister.
  2. Paolo
    • Origin:

      Italian, variation of Paul
    • Meaning:

      "small"
    • Description:

      Paolo is an irresistibly lush Italian name for boys, worlds more romantic than its spare English equivalent.
  3. Paola
    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish variation of Paula
    • Meaning:

      "small"
    • Description:

      Paola is the Latinate version of Paula. Its intriguing sound could make it more appealing than the English standard.
  4. Po
    • Origin:

      Italian river name
    • Description:

      A river (in Italy), a writer (Bronson), a Teletubby: the Bo of the new millennium.
  5. Pietro
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Peter
    • Description:

      Yet another winning international form of Peter.
  6. Prospero
    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Prosper
    • Meaning:

      "succeed, prosper"
    • Description:

      Shakespeare's Tempest has kept the name Prospero alive.
  7. Primo
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "first"
    • Description:

      Primo is number one among the Latin birth-order names--Octavius et al--and the one most likely to be used in these days of smaller families. It has that jaunty 'o' ending and Italian flavor that many modern parents like so much. And what little boy wouldn't appreciate being prime?
  8. Pasquale
    • Piero
      • Origin:

        Italian, variation of Peter
      • Meaning:

        "rock"
      • Description:

        Piero is elegant, melodic, appealing. Just picture the muted frescoes of Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca.
    • Phebe
      • Origin:

        Akan, Ghanaian
      • Meaning:

        "born on Friday"
      • Description:

        Though often Anglicized as Phoebe, Phebe has separate roots. It originated as a variation of Afua, an Akan day name, and commonly used among enslaved people in America.
    • Petronilla
      • Origin:

        Roman and Italian feminine variation of Petronius
      • Meaning:

        "yokel, woodpecker, stone"
      • Description:

        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 resurgence of so many ancient Roman names, the elaborate and pretty Petronilla or its French form Petronille seem more usable these days than they have in centuries.
    • Pino
      • Origin:

        Italian, diminutive of names such as Giuseppino
      • Description:

        There are many more substantial Italian choices.
    • Primavera
      • Origin:

        Italian
      • Meaning:

        "spring"
      • Description:

        A bit syllable-heavy, but a pretty name for a springtime baby.
    • Pellegrino
      • Origin:

        Italian variation of Peregrine
      • Description:

        The water, period.
    • Pepe
      • Origin:

        Spanish variation of JosÉ
      • Description:

        Le Pew. We don't think so, although it's a megacommon nickname name in Latino countries.
    • Placido
      • Origin:

        Italian and Spanish
      • Meaning:

        "serene"
      • Description:

        Opera star Domingo was responsible for giving this popular Latin name its green card. It was commonly used by early Christians to convey their serenity in the faith, and it was borne by several minor saints.
    • Piera
      • Placida
        • Origin:

          Italian and Spanish
        • Meaning:

          "serene"
        • Description:

          A name that's more familiar in its male form, Placido, but this can be a similar-feeling alternative to Serena.
      • Pamina
        • Origin:

          Italian
        • Meaning:

          "little honey"
        • Description:

          This operatic Italian name -- it appears in Mozart's "The Magic Flute" -- is a more unusual route to the nickname Pam/Pammy.
      • Pietra