French Names that Start With P

Strictly for the girls.

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

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.

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

Porter is one clubby surname or occupational that was given to around 80 baby girls in the US last year -- and nearly 600 baby boys.

Philippine would be taken as an ethnic identification rather than a name in the U.S. Better try Philippa, though if you don't mind eternally correcting people, Philippine can make an interesting alternative. Pippa can be a short form of Philippine as well as Philippa.

This title of honor given to Charlemagne's twelve best knights would be prized as a name by most sword-loving little boys.

More masculine than Paris for a boy, but in danger of being misunderstood as that name; has a slightly churchy feel.

One of the least appealing of the ella-ending names, especially if you check pernicious in the dictionary.

Common surname rarely used as a first.

Une amie for Gwyneth's little girl.

Pierrette is the French feminine form of Peter or Pierre, an antiquated if charming feminization in the style of Albertine.

Peverell is the surname of a Harry Potter family.

This, the simplest French female version of Paul, was brought into the U. S. mix by novelist Paule Marshall, whose roots are in the West Indies.