Dog Names That Start With P

Likable choice for history-minded parents who might want to honor Irish patriot Charles Parnell.

A bit syllable-heavy, but a pretty name for a springtime baby.

Phyllida, a "Masterpiece Theatre"-style appellation, seems far fresher and more unusual than Phyllis. It's green-related meaning makes it one of the prime names that mean new beginnings.

Personification of pep.

A name rich in Hindu tradition as the alternate name for the Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of beauty and charm; currently borne, appropriately, by model-actress-writer Padma Lakshmi.

This Dutch name stems from the Greek root word "philos" meaning "love". It is relatively common in the Netherlands.

Prince rose to its highest ranking in a century in 2015, and the tragic death of its most famous bearer in April 2016 propelled it even higher. The Purple Rain legend isn't its only tie to pop royalty: Michael Jackson chose it for not one but two of his sons. Royal names such as King and Prince, once thought of as canine, have begun to be used by human non-royals for their sons.

Sixties-style short form that sounds cool again -- though the unscrupulous Pete on "Mad Men" is not a character to emulate.

Parry is quite common in Wales, often as a surname, but would inevitably be misunderstood as Perry or even Harry.

Cooler and rarer than Pedro, but also has a slightly industrial sound.

The newest surname names move beyond the Waspy, and this is an excellent example, associated these days with gossip blogger Perez (born Mario) Hilton.

Famous violinist-conductor Pinchas Zuckerman is the most famous modern bearer; the biblical Pinchas was the son of Eleazar and the grandson of Aaron -- both preferable name choices.

Panya is a multicultural possibility with a sound that's pleasing to the English-speaking ear, though the Swahili translation, which might also be "rat," makes it less than savory as an African name.

Pacome is a French saint's name rarely heard in this country, but currently being revived in its native France.

Some variants are Pacomi, Pacomio and Pacomius.

Pancho is a bit more problematic than such similar names as Pablo and Paco because of the Pancho Villa association.

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

Though Patrice is still common for boys in France, it has long been feminine here.

Pistol is one of the new names that entered the lexicon in the US in 2013, when it was given to nine babies of each gender. Call it an equal-opportunity badass baby name with an unfortunately violent image.

In mythology, another name for Aphrodite -- but the rare feminine name that sounds better for a boy.

Most ella names are hot, but this is one that won't catch fire because of the disagreeable connotations of prunes.