Italian Names that Start With P

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.

Paolo is an irresistibly lush Italian name for boys, worlds more romantic than its spare English equivalent.

Paola is the Latinate version of Paula. Its intriguing sound could make it more appealing than the English standard.

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

Yet another winning international form of Peter.

Shakespeare's Tempest has kept the name Prospero alive.

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?

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

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 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.

There are many more substantial Italian choices.

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

The water, period.

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

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.

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

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