Browse Submitted Names

This is a list of submitted names in which the usage is English or American.
gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Perdida f American (South, Rare, Archaic)
Respelling of Perdita which might have arisen based on a dialectal pronunciation.
Perdy f English (Rare)
Either a diminutive of Perdita or a variant of Purdie.
Peregrin m Literature, English, German (Rare, Archaic)
English variant of Peregrine as well as the German form of Peregrine. Peregrin "Pippin" Took is a character in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Perenelle f French, English, Literature, Medieval French
Old French form of Petronilla borne by Perenelle Flamel (1320-1402), wife and fellow alchemist of Nicolas Flamel. They are known for their quest to discover the philosopher's stone, a legendary substance said to turn any metal into gold and to make its owner immortal.... [more]
Perfect f & m English (Rare)
English form of Perfectus.
Perfection m & f English (Rare), English (African, Rare), African American (Rare), Filipino (Rare)
From the word perfection, referring to the quality or state of being perfect or complete.
Peri f English
Feminine variant of Perry.
Perian f English (Rare), American (South)
Combination of Perry and Ann. It was brought to some public attention in 1959 by Perian Conerly, a Mississippi-born sports columnist for The New York Times and the wife of New York Giants quarterback Charlie Conerly; in late 1959, she appeared as a contestant on the American game show What's My Line?... [more]
Peridot f & m English (Rare)
Taken from the name of the gemstone, whose name is of uncertain origin and meaning. A current theory, however, derives it from Anglo-Norman pedoretés, ultimately from Greek paiderôs (via Latin paederos): pais "child" and erôs "love".... [more]
Periwinkle f English (Rare)
From the English word for the color "periwinkle", from Middle English parwynke, referring to a "light blue and purple shade". It's also the name of a flower.
Perk m English (Rare)
A diminutive of Perkin and Perkins or a nickname. One bearer is Canadian hockey forward Percival Walter "Perk" Galbraith (1898-1961).
Perkins m English
Transferred use of the surname Perkins.
Perley m American (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Perley.
Perlina f Italian (Rare), Spanish (Rare), English (American, Rare)
Diminutive of Perla. In other words: you could say that this name is the Italian and Spanish cognate of Perline... [more]
Permilia f English (American, Archaic)
Variant of Permelia, which is of unknown origin; possibly a variant of Pamela or a contraction of Pearl and Amelia.
Pernell m English (American)
Transferred use of the surname Pernell.
Pernie f American (South)
This appears sporadically outside the U.S. Top 1000 and was found mainly in Southern States. My speculation is that it is an offshoot of Calpurnia, but I cannot verify if this is the source of the name.
Perrey m & f English (Rare)
Variant of Perry.
Perri f & m English (Rare)
Variant of Perry. Also used as a diminutive of names that begin with Per-, e.g. Persephone.
Perrianne f English (American, Rare)
Combination of Perri and Anne 1. Also see Perian.
Perrie f & m English (Rare)
Variant of Perry and Perri. It can also be used as a diminutive of names that begin with Per- and have the 'per' sound within the name and at the ending of the name... [more]
Persecution m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs."
Perseverance f English (Puritan)
From the English word meaning "steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success", referring to persevering through the trials and tribulations that may come as a believer of Christ.
Pershing m English (American)
Most likely used as a first name due to John Joseph Pershing, General of the Armies for the United States at the end of World War I. His paternal ancestors were of German descent, and the original spelling was likely Pfoersching... [more]
Persia f English (Rare)
From the name of the Middle Eastern country Persia, now referred to as Iran. Its name is derived from Avestan Parsa, the ancient tribal name of the people ruled by Cyrus the Great.... [more]
Persimmon m & f English (Rare)
From the name of the Persimmon, a brightly colored fruit. The word persimmon is derived from Powhatan, an Algonquian language of the eastern United States, meaning "a dry fruit".... [more]
Persy f English
Diminutive of Persephone.
Pert f Literature, Theatre, English (American, Rare)
Meaning uncertain, but likely derived from the English word pert.... [more]
Peterina f English, Scottish, Dutch
Elaboration of Peter, feminized with the suffix -ina.
Peters m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Peters.
Peterson m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Peterson.
Petey m English
Diminutive of Peter.
Petie m English (Rare), Obscure (?)
Variation of Petey. There is a typhoon in the 1950 Pacific typhoon season with this name.
Petrarch m English (Anglicized, Rare, Archaic)
The anglicized mononym of the Renaissance Tuscan Italian poet and scholar, Francesco Petrarca. It originates from his last name, which ultimately is a latinized form of his original surname, Petracco.
Petrea f & m English, Romanian, Danish, Swedish (Rare), Norwegian (Rare), Icelandic (Rare)
Elaborated form of Petra and Romanian variant of Petre.
Petria f English
Elaboration of Petra.
Petrichor f English (Canadian)
The earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil. The word is constructed from Greek petra (πέτρα), meaning "stone", and īchōr (ἰχώρ), the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology.... [more]
Petrova f English, Literature
Russian patronymic last name. Petrova is the name of one of the Fossil sisters in the book (and movie) 'Ballet Shoes' by Noel Streatfeild.
Pettifleur f English
A female English name. It is the first name of Real Housewife of Melbourne Pettifleur Berenger (1964-).
Petulia f English
Possible variation or elaboration of Petula.
Peyote m English
Mid 19th century from Latin American Spanish, from Nahuatl peyotl, meaning "glisten" or "glistening". Other sources translate the Nahuatl word as "Divine Messenger"
Peytan f & m English
Variant of Peyton.
Peytin f & m English (Rare)
Variant of Peyton.
Pfeiffer f & m English (Modern, Rare)
Transferred use of the German surname Pfeiffer.
Phanessa f English (American, Rare), English (Australian, Rare)
Perhaps intended to be a feminine form of Phanes, probably influenced by the name Vanessa. In Greek mythology, Phanes was a primeval god of procreation whose name derived from Greek phainô "to bring light, make clear".
Phania f English
Diminutive of Stephania.
Phantom m American (South, Rare, Archaic)
From the English word "phantom" a synonym for "ghost", ultimately from Greek φάντασμα (phántasma) "phantom, ghost", "vision, dream", "fantasy".
Pharah f English, Arabic
Variant of Farah.
Pharaoh m English, Mormon, African American
Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the rulers of all Ancient Egyptian dynasties. Historically, however, "pharaoh" only started being used as a title for the king during the New Kingdom, specifically during the middle of the eighteenth dynasty, after the reign of Hatshepsut... [more]
Pharell m English
Variant of Pharrell.
Pharisee f English (American, Rare, Archaic)
Primarily Southeastern in the United States, dating back to the 1840s and also used in the early 20th century.... [more]
Pharrell m English (Rare)
Variant of Farrell. In the case of American rapper Pharrell Williams, the spelling is inspired by his father's name Pharaoh.
Phayre f English
Variant of Fayre.
Pheaby f American (Rare, Archaic)
Early American variant of Phoebe.
Phelina f English (Rare)
Either a variant of Felina or a feminization of Phelan.
Phelps f English
Transferred use of the surname Phelps.
Phennana f Biblical Greek, English (Puritan)
Greek form of Peninnah, as it first appeared in the Septuagint. Also see Phenenna.... [more]
Pheonix m & f English (Modern, Rare)
Erroneous spelling of Phoenix.
Pheraby f American (South, Archaic)
Apparently a Southern U.S. invention. First appears in the mid-1700s in Virginia and North Carolina. Could be a variation of Phoebe, although it is also curiously similar to the Arabic name Fariba.... [more]
Phiby f English
Variant of Phoebe.
Phila f English
From Ancient Greek φιλος (philos) meaning "lover, friend", or a shortened form of names beginning with Phila.
Phildel f English (Rare)
In the case of singer-songwriter Phildel, it is a combination of her parents names - Philip and Della. -
Philene f English (American, Rare), Haitian Creole, South African
Possibly a variant of Philine, a contraction of Philomène, or a feminine form of Phil using the common name suffix lene.
Phileo m English (Rare)
Presumably a variant of Philo.
Philhelmina f English (Rare)
Variant of Philomena, influenced by Wilhelmina.
Philia f English (Rare), Dutch (Rare), German (Rare), Greek (Rare), Greek (Cypriot, Rare)
Derived from Greek philia "love", specifically referring to any kind of platonic love. In the English-speaking world, this name has seen occasional usage from the 17th century onwards.
Philian m English, German
Derived from Philianus, which is the latinized form of Greek Philianos. It is ultimately derived from Greek philos "friend" or phileo "to love". Compare also Philon... [more]
Philianne f English (Rare)
Either a feminine form of Philian or an elaboration of Philia.
Philidore m English, French, Literature
Philidore likely meaning "gift of love", from the Greek philos (φιλος) meaning "friend, lover" and doron (δωρον) meaning "gift".... [more]
Philie m English (Rare)
Diminutive of Philip.
Phill m English
Variant of Phil.
Phillips m English (Puritan)
Transferred use of the surname Phillips.
Phillisco m & f American (Modern, Rare)
Possibly a modern variation of Philiscus
Philly f English
Diminutive of Philippa, Phyllis and other names containing the element Phil-.
Philly m & f Irish (Rare), English (Modern)
Irish diminutive of Pilib, the Irish form of Philip. As an English name, it can also be a diminutive of names beginning with Phil-, such as Philip, Phyllis and Philomena.... [more]
Philmore m English (Rare)
Likely a variant of Fillmore, influenced by Phil.
Phina f English (American, Rare), English (African, Rare)
Diminutive of names ending in -phina like Josephina or Seraphina.
Phinley m & f English (Rare)
Rare variant of Finley
Phinly f & m American (Rare)
Variant of Finley.
Phiona f English, English (African), French (African)
Variant of Fiona. It is used mainly in Uganda (regarding (African) English usage) and Burundi (regarding African French usage).... [more]
Phlox f English (Rare)
Taken from the name of the flower, whose name is derived from Greek phlox "flame". As a given name, it has been in occasional use in the English-speaking world from the late 19th century onwards.
Phoebee f English
Variant of Phoebe.
Phoenicia f English (American, Rare)
Taken directly from the ancient Semitic thalassocratic civilization Phoenicia.
Phrankee f English (Modern)
Variant spelling of Frankie.
Phronsie f English
Diminutive of Sophronia, the name of the youngest child in Margaret Sydney's "Five Little Peppers"
Phthisis m English
Simply from the English word (of Greek origin) which means "wasting, consumption". 'Not a name in frequent use, but a Phthisis Smith was named in Britain in 1915.'
Phyl m & f English
Diminutive of Phylip, Philippa and other names that begin with Phil.
Phylecia f African American
Variant of Felicia. Also compare Phylicia.
Phylicia f African American
Blend of Phyllis and Felicia. Famous bearer is Phylicia Rashad, actress.
Phylly f English
Perhaps a diminutive of Philadelphia.
Phyre f & m English (Modern, Rare)
Variant of the word fire.
Picabo f English (American, Modern, Rare)
From the name of the village Picabo in Idaho.
Pieper f English (Modern, Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Pieper.
Piercy m & f English (British, Rare)
A variant of Piers, a Middle English form of Peter. Peter is derived from the Greek petros, meaning "stone" or "rock".
Pierpont m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Pierpont.
Pierson m English
Transferred use of the surname Pierson.
Pike m English
Transferred use of the surname Pike. May also be used in reference to the various species of fish.
Pilate m Biblical, English (Puritan), English (African, Rare)
English form of the Roman cognomen Pilatus, which meant "armed with a javelin" from Latin pila "javelin". This was most famously borne by Pontius Pilate, the prefect of the Roman province of Judaea ca... [more]
Pilgrim m Medieval German, English (Rare), English (Puritan)
Medieval German form of both Biligrim and Peregrinus (see Peregrine), as these names were conflated with each other in the Middle Ages... [more]
Pilot m English (Rare)
Either from the surname Pilot, which is derived from Pilate, or directly from the vocabulary word pilot, which is derived from either Greek πηδον (pedon) "steering oar" or πλωτης (plotes) "sailor"... [more]
Pimm m English
Variant of Pim.
Pimpernel f Literature, English (Rare), Dutch (Rare)
From the flower Scarlet Pimpernel, a low growing annual plant. It is well known for being the emblem of the fictional hero of the same name. Tolkien used the name for one of the Took sisters.
Pink m & f English
A nickname from the color pink, or a diminutive of names such as Patrick or Patricia.
Pinkerton m & f English
Transferred use of surname Pinkerton
Pinkey f & m English (Rare)
Variant of Pinkie.
Pinkie f & m English (Rare)
Diminutive of Pink. Borne by a character of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Pinkney m English (American, Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Pinkney.
Pinky f & m English, Filipino
Variant of Pink. Sometimes used for someone with a pink complexion.
Pioneer m English
From early 16th century (as a military term denoting a member of the infantry) from French pionnier ‘foot soldier, pioneer’, Old French paonier, from paon, from Latin pedo, pedon-.
Pioquinto m Spanish (Mexican), American (Hispanic), Spanish (Latin American), Spanish (Philippines)
A name given in honor of Pope Pius V, a saint of the Catholic Church.
Piperita f English (Modern, Rare)
From Menthos Piperita, the botanical name of Peppermint. This could also be a combination of {Piper} and {Rita}.
Pippy f English
Diminutive of Philippa.
Pique m American (Hispanic)
Transferred use of the surname Piqué.... [more]
Pirate m & f English (Rare)
From the English word pirate, from Latin pirata, from Greek peiratēs, from peirein ‘to attempt, attack’ (from peira ‘an attempt’).
Pistol m English
From mid 16th century: from obsolete French pistole, from German Pistole, from Czech pišt'ala, of which the original meaning was ‘whistle’, hence ‘a firearm’ by the resemblance in shape.
Pitch m English
Diminutive of Pitcher.
Pitcher m English
Transferred use of the surname Pitcher.
Pitt m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Pitt. A fictional bearer was Sir Pitt Crawley in William Makepeace Thackeray's satirical novel 'Vanity Fair' (1848), a character apparently named in honour of the 18th-century British statesman William Pitt, nicknamed "The Great Commoner" (for whom the U.S. city of Pittsburgh was also named).
Pixie f English
From the English word pixie, referring to a playful sprite or elf/fairy-like creature, originating from Devon and Cornwall.
Placidia f Late Roman, English (African, Rare), English (Puritan)
Feminine form of Placidius, which was a derivative of the Latin cognomen Placidus.
Platinum f English (American, Rare)
From the metal platinum, derived from Spanish platina, a diminutive of plata "silver". It can also be taken from the color platinum, derived from the metal.
Platt m English
Transferred use of the surname Platt.
Plavka f American (Rare)
In the case of American singer Plavka Coleridge (née Lonich) the name was derived from a Croatian worn meaning "blondie". It is not used as a name in Croatia.
Plaxico m African American
Unknown meaning or origin.... [more]
Pleasant m & f English (Puritan, Rare), Romani (Archaic)
Derived from the English word, which is derived from Anglo-Norman plaisant "delightful" and ultimately from Latin placens "pleasing; agreeable".... [more]
Pleasure f & m English (African, Rare)
From the English word pleasrue meaning "A state of being pleased or contented; gratification." This name is most common in African countries like Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
Ples m English (Rare)
Short form of Pleasant (compare Pleas).
Plum f & m English
From Middle English ploume, from Old English plume "plum, plum tree," from an early Germanic borrowing (Middle Dutch prume, Dutch pruim, Old High German pfluma, pfruma, German Pflaume) from Vulgar Latin *pruna, from Latin prunum "plum," from Greek prounon, a later form of proumnon, a word of unknown origin, which is probably, like the tree itself, of Anatolian origin.
Pluma f American (Rare)
Borrowing from Latin plūma, meaning "feather."
Plumeria f English (Rare)
From the name of the flowering plant that is also known as frangipani.
Plummer m English
Transferred use of the surname Plummer.
Plutina f American (South, Archaic)
Probably an invented name, used primarily in the Southern United States in the 19th century. Plutina Cox is the heroine of Waldron Baily's novel 'The Heart of the Blue Ridge' (1915), set in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
Plymouth m & f English (Rare), English (American)
Either derived directly from the place name (see Plymouth) or transferred from the surname which is derived from the place name.
Po m & f English (American, Rare), Popular Culture
Varient of Poe. May also be a diminutive for names like Penelope, Porter, Pluto, etc.
Poe m & f Popular Culture, English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Poe.... [more]
Poem m & f English
From French poème or Latin poema, from Greek poēma, early variant of poiēma ‘fiction, poem,’ from poiein ‘create.’ See also Poema.
Poema f English (Canadian)
Elaboration or feminization of Poem.
Poesy f American (South, Rare, Archaic)
Originally a variant of Posy, this name was sometimes associated with poetry, from Old French poesie, ultimately from Greek poesis "composition, poetry," from poein "to make or compose"
Poet f & m English (American, Modern, Rare)
From the English word meaning "someone who writes poems". From the Old French poete, from Latin poēta 'poet, author', from Ancient Greek poiētēs (ποιητής) 'creator, maker, author, poet', from poieō (poieō) 'I make, compose'.
Pognon m French (Cajun), African American, American (South)
Transferred use of the surname Pognon.
Poinsettia f English (Rare)
From the flower Euphorbia pulcherrima, which was named for an American Minister to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, who discovered the flower in 1828.
Polk m English
Transferred use of the surname Polk.
Poll f English
Short for Polly.
Pollye f English
A variant spelling of Polly.
Polo m Spanish, English, Italian, English (American), Medieval Spanish, Medieval Italian
This name likely roots from Paolo or Paulo, and Polo is a variant of both. It can be used in association with the sport also, but very rarely is.
Pomeroy m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Pomeroy.
Pontian m English
English form of Pontianus. This name was borne by a pope from the 3rd century AD.
Pontress f American (Modern, Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Pontress.
Poot m American (Rare)
Malik "Poot" Carr is the name of a character in the HBO drama 'The Wire' (2002-2008).
Pop m & f English (Rare)
Diminutive of Poppy and nickname derived from pop, shortened variation of papa "father," in use in American English as early as 1838.
Pope m English (Archaic)
From English pope, a religious title for a bishop.
Poppea f English (Rare, Archaic), Theatre, Italian (Rare, Archaic, ?)
Variant of Poppaea. This name was used for the title character of Claudio Monteverdi's opera 'L'incoronazione di Poppea' (1642).
Poppet f & m English
From the Middle English popet, meaning "a small child or doll." Used in specifically British and formerly British controlled countries.
Poppi f English
Variant of Poppy.
Porcelain f English (American, Rare)
Taken from the material porcelain, ultimately derived from Italian porcellana "cowrie shell".
Portland f English (Rare)
Meaning, "land surrounding the water" and used in reference to the place of Portland, Oregon which itself is named after Portland, Maine, which is thusly named after the Isle of Portland, England. This name was borne by comedienne, actress, and dancer, Portland Hoffa.
Portwood m English
Transferred use of the surname Portwood.
Portya f English
Variant of Portia.
Posey f & m English
Transferred use of the surname Posey or variant of Posy.
Possy f & m English (Rare), Literature
Rare variant of Posy or a transferred use of a rare surname, Possy.
Posthuma f Medieval English (?), English (Archaic)
Feminization of Posthumus. (Cf. Postuma.) This was used as a second or third name to indicate the child's father had died before her birth, e.g. Gulielma Maria Posthuma Springett (1644-1694), the wife of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.
Potiphar m Biblical, English (African, Rare)
From Egyptian p-di-p-r' meaning "he whom Ra gave", composed of the definite article p- "the one" combined with di "whom he gave" and r', the name of the supreme god Ra... [more]
Potter m English, English (Puritan)
Transferred use of the surname Potter.
Pouponne f Louisiana Creole
Feminization of Poupon.
Powell m American
Transferred use of the surname Powell.
Power m English (Modern, Rare)
From the English word power meaning "a source or means of supplying energy" or transferred use of the surname Power.
Powerful f African American
From Middle English pouerful, powarfull, equivalent to power +‎ -ful.
Powers m English (Rare), Romani (Archaic)
Transferred use of the surname Powers.
Prairie f American (Rare)
From the English word for a flat treeless grassland, taken from French prairie "meadow". This was used by Thomas Pynchon for a character in his novel 'Vineland' (1990).
Praise-God m English (Puritan)
From the English phrase praise God, referring to giving God glory. A known bearer was Praise-God Barebone (or Barbon; c. 1598-1679), an English preacher and Fifth Monarchist after whom Barebone's Parliament of 1653 was named... [more]
Prathia f African American
The Rev. Dr. Prathia Hall, a theologian and ethicist, was active in SNCC and a prominent civil rights movement speaker—she was said to have influenced Dr. King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, having used the phrase repeatedly in a speech he heard in 1962.
Pratt m English (American, Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Pratt.
Prayer f & m English
Middle English from Old French preiere, based on Latin precarius ‘obtained by entreaty,’ from prex, prec- prayer.’
Preacher m English (American)
Transferred use of the surname Preacher.
Prentice m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Prentice.
Prentiss m & f English, Scottish
Transferred use of the surname Prentiss.
Pres m English
Short form of Preston, Prescott, or other names beginning with "Pres". Preston "Pres" Dillard is a character in the 1938 film "Jezebel."
Prescott m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Prescott.
Preserved m & f English (Puritan)
Name given to a child when spared from certain death during childbirth.
Preshea f English
A notable fictional bearer of this name is Preshea Villentia, née Buss from Gail Carriger’s Finishing School book series. A notable bearer of a variant of this name is gospel singer Preashea Hilliard.
Press m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Press or possibly a short form of names with the element press, such as Presley.