P is a letter that produces names with genuine range. The P names for girls include ancient and mythological names like Persephone and Psyche, soft and elegant names like Penelope and Petra, Celtic names like Prydwen and Peirene, nature-inspired names like Primrose and Peregrine, and genuinely rare finds like Ptahmose and Parvati. Whatever the naming register, there is a P name that fits it.
Here is the full guide.
Classic P Girl Names
Penelope
Greek, meaning “weaver” or possibly connected to the name for a species of duck. Penelope is the hero of the Odyssey in her own right: the woman who outwitted her suitors for twenty years while she waited for Odysseus, the woman whose cleverness was the match of his. It shortens to Penny or Nell. One of the most complete classical names available.
Philippa
Greek, the feminine form of Philip, meaning “lover of horses.” Philippa has a warm, slightly formal quality. It shortens to Pippa, which does considerable independent work as a name in its own right.
Patricia
Latin, meaning “noble” or “of noble birth.” Patricia dominated mid-twentieth century naming and is at the point in the cycle where revival becomes possible. It shortens to Pat or Tricia but also, less obviously, to Trish or Patsy.
Phoebe
Greek, meaning “bright” or “radiant.” In mythology, Phoebe was a Titaness associated with the moon and prophecy, and her name was used as an epithet of Artemis. The name has been in steady use since the Renaissance and remains warm, bright and entirely likeable.
Priscilla
Latin, from the Roman family name Priscus, meaning “ancient” or “venerable.” Priscilla has a slightly old-fashioned quality that is now working in its favour. It shortens to Cilla or Prissie.
Pearl
From the gemstone formed inside oysters. Pearl is a gem name in the tradition of Ruby and Amber, warm, mid-century and returning to favour.
Pretty P Names for Girls
Petra
Greek and Latin, the feminine form of Peter, meaning “rock.” Petra is also the name of the spectacular rose-red city carved from rock in Jordan. It is short, strong and carries both the feminine form and the geographic association.
Paloma
Spanish, meaning “dove.” Paloma is warm, Spanish and carries the peace symbolism of the dove in its meaning. Paloma Picasso gave it an artistic association it carries to this day.
Pernille
(pehr-NIL-leh) Scandinavian form of Petronilla, ultimately from Peter, meaning “rock.” Pernille is a specifically Danish and Norwegian name, almost entirely unknown in English-speaking countries and genuinely distinctive.
Primrose
From the early spring flower. Primrose is botanical, slightly vintage and carries the specific warmth of the first flowers of the year. Also the name of Katniss Everdeen’s sister in The Hunger Games, which has given it a gentle fictional association.
Perdita
Latin, meaning “lost.” Perdita appears in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, a girl believed dead who is found again. It shortens to Perdie and carries a slightly melancholy but ultimately hopeful story.
Posy
An English diminutive from the word for a small bunch of flowers. Posy is warm, botanical and has a gentle, old-fashioned quality that sits alongside names like Kitty and Dotty.
Strong P Names for Girls
Persephone
(per-SEF-oh-nee) Greek, of uncertain etymology, possibly meaning “bringer of destruction” or connected to ancient agricultural language. Persephone is the queen of the underworld, the daughter of Demeter whose annual return to earth causes spring. She is one of the most powerful and complex figures in Greek mythology. Long, mythological and magnificent. Shortens to Percy or Sephy.
Prydwen
(PRID-wen) Welsh, meaning “fair face” or “beautiful form.” Prydwen is the name of King Arthur’s ship in Welsh mythology. As a given name she is extraordinarily rare and specifically Welsh.
Pele
(PEH-leh) Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, fire and creation. Pele is one of the most significant deities in Hawaiian tradition and is still actively venerated. As a given name she is rare outside Hawaii and carries enormous elemental force.
Pythia
(PITH-ee-ah) The title of the Oracle at Delphi, the most important prophetic institution in the ancient Greek world. The women who served as the Pythia over centuries were among the most politically influential individuals in antiquity. As a given name she is extraordinarily rare and carries the full weight of classical prophecy.
Pax
Latin, meaning “peace.” Pax is the Roman goddess of peace. Short, strong and one of the most direct virtue names available.
Pelagia
(pe-LAY-jee-ah) Greek, meaning “of the sea.” Saint Pelagia was a fourth-century saint venerated across the Eastern and Western Christian traditions. The name is rare, classical and carries the sea in its meaning.
Rare P Girl Names Worth Knowing
Prydwen
Already noted. Arthur’s ship. Welsh and extraordinary.
Pythia
Already noted. The Delphic Oracle.
Pernille
Already noted. Scandinavian and entirely distinctive.
Parvati
(par-VAH-tee) Sanskrit, meaning “daughter of the mountain.” Parvati is the Hindu goddess of love, fertility and devotion, one of the principal deities in Shaivism. As a given name she is used in Indian naming traditions and is rare elsewhere.
Palimpsest
A word meaning a manuscript that has been written over but retains traces of earlier writing. Occasionally used in very experimental naming as a poetic concept name. Mentioned here as a rarity at the extreme end of unusual naming.
Pressina
Arthurian and French medieval legend, the fairy queen who is the mother of Melusine. Pressina is almost entirely out of use as a given name and carries a specific medieval French mythological tradition.
P Girl Names Inspired by Nature
Primrose
Already noted. The first flower of spring.
Peony
From the large fragrant flower. Peony is a botanical name with warmth and a slightly opulent quality. Rarely used as a given name.
Petal
From the part of the flower. Petal is used occasionally as a term of endearment in the UK and even more rarely as an actual given name. Entirely distinctive if you choose to use it.
Pine
From the evergreen tree. Pine is gender-neutral and minimal, sitting in the nature-naming tradition of names like Ash and Oak.
Plum
From the fruit. Plum is unusual, cheerful and warm. Very rarely used as a given name but sitting in the fruit-name tradition alongside Berry and Apple.
Prairie
From the North American grassland landscape. Prairie is a geographic name almost never used in the UK but occasionally in North American contexts.
P Girl Names From Mythology and Legend
Persephone
Already noted. Queen of the underworld.
Phoebe
Already noted. Titaness and moon goddess.
Psyche
(SY-kee) Greek, meaning “soul” or “breath.” In the myth of Eros and Psyche, Psyche is a mortal woman of such extraordinary beauty that she provokes Aphrodite’s jealousy, and whose love for Eros requires her to complete four impossible tasks. As a given name she is rare, philosophical and carries one of the most beautiful love stories in classical mythology.
Pele
Already noted. Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes.
Pythia
Already noted. The Oracle.
Pressina
Already noted. Medieval fairy queen.
Pomona
Roman goddess of fruit trees, orchards and gardens. Pomona is warm, botanical, mythological and rarely used as a given name.
Short P Girl Names
- Pax — Latin peace. Three letters, Roman goddess.
- Pru — Short form of Prudence. Warm and direct.
- Pip — Short form of Philippa. Cheerful and retro.
- Posy — Already noted. Floral and warm.
- Pearl — Already noted. Gem name.
- Paz — Spanish for “peace.” Clean and warm.
- Pia — Latin, meaning “pious” or “devout.” Short and soft.
P Girl Names by Origin
Irish and Celtic
Prydwen (Welsh)
Greek and Classical
Penelope, Phoebe, Persephone, Psyche, Pelagia, Pythia, Pomona, Pax (Roman)
Latin and French
Patricia, Priscilla, Pearl, Paloma (via Spanish), Primrose
Scandinavian
Pernille
Hawaiian
Pele
Sanskrit and Indian
Parvati
Nature-rooted
Primrose, Peony, Petal, Pine, Plum, Prairie
Frequently Asked Questions About P Girl Names
What are the most popular P girl names?
Phoebe, Penelope and Poppy consistently rank among the most popular P girl names in the UK. Primrose has been growing among parents drawn to vintage botanical names.
What are rare P girl names?
Pythia, Prydwen, Pressina, Parvati and Pelagia are among the most genuinely uncommon P girl names with proper historical or mythological roots.
What middle names work with P girl names?
Long P names (Persephone, Penelope, Priscilla) suit short middles: Persephone Rose, Penelope Faye. Short P names (Pax, Pia, Pip) work with longer middles: Pax Marguerite, Pia Celestine.
Final Thoughts
P girl names carry unusual depth across the full range. From Penelope, the clever hero of the Odyssey, to Pythia, the Oracle who shaped ancient history, to Primrose, the first flower of spring, this is a letter that rewards looking beyond the first few obvious choices. The rarest names on this list are among the most remarkable in any guide to naming.