Dog Names That Start With P

  1. Praxis
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "practical"
    • Description:

      In mythology, another name for Aphrodite -- but the rare feminine name that sounds better for a boy.
  2. Pilot
    • Origin:

      Occupational name
    • Description:

      One celebrity baby Pilot put this occupational choice into the pool -- together with the middle name Inspektor, something we wouldn't advise following.
  3. Puma
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "big cat"
    • Description:

      Lithe and leonine name chosen for her daughter by singer Erykah Badu -- whose other child has the number name Seven.
  4. Porsche
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      The Shakespearean Portia may be a real name, but Porsche is now and forever a car, not a little girl.
  5. Padme
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Padmé Amidala, played by Natalie Portman, was one of the main characters in the Star Wars prequels, the mother (with Anakin Skywalker) of Luke and Leia. Enough time may have passed for it to be conceivable as a first name IRL.
  6. Painter
    • Origin:

      Occupational name
    • Description:

      Painter is among the most creative choices in this very fashionable category of names, with a particularly pleasant sound. Whereas most occupational names conjure up physical labor, this one feels like a gateway to the arts.
  7. Pella
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, diminutive of Petronella, or Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "stone or marvel of God"
    • Description:

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

      German occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "pipe player"
    • Description:

      Potential alternative to Piper. Streamlined Fifer would probably be the preferred spelling if it wasn't for high-profile actress Michelle Pfeiffer.
  9. Pebbles
    • Origin:

      English, word name
    • Description:

      As the former stage name of TLC founder Perri Reid and the name of the youngest member of the animated Flintstones clan, it's got some pop culture cache. But it'll be too cutesy by half for most parents.
  10. Pepe
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of JosÉ
    • Description:

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

      Diminutive of color name Pink
    • Meaning:

      "pink"
    • Description:

      Aside from the singer, there aren't many people around named Pink or Pinkie or Pinky -- zero, in fact.
  12. Poetry
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      A lyrical choice.
  13. Patricio
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Patrick
    • Description:

      The final o in Patricio adds a bit of punch and pizzazz, though it also spins the name closer to the feminine Patricia.
  14. Psalm
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "sacred song or hymn"
    • Description:

      Psalm became a name by the power of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who chose it for their younger son in 2019. As a spiritual word name however, it is a perfectly gender neutral choice that works just as well for girls. The name is now 7 times more popular than it was before Kim and Kanye put it on the map, and in a recent year, it was given to 40 girls and 120 boys.
  15. Pomme
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "apple"
    • Description:

      Une amie for Gwyneth's little girl.
  16. Pania
    • Origin:

      Maori, a mythological sea maiden
    • Description:

      Pania is a possible alternative to Tania, if you want to go the New Zealand rather than Russian route.
  17. 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.
  18. Pat
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Patrick
    • Meaning:

      "noble, patrician"
    • Description:

      As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate androgynous name. Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.
  19. Power
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Power is one of the new crop -- Justice, Liberty, Peace -- of strong, clear-cut, declarative choices, though this one carries more assertiveness than virtue.
  20. Pat
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Patricia
    • Meaning:

      "noble, patrician"
    • Description:

      An early and still quintessentially androgynous name, now supplanted by thousands of fresher options.