Boy Names
Classic, modern, and timeless names for your son. Every name has a story, discover the meaning, origin, and pronunciation behind it.
Pedr
“Rock”
Pedr is the Welsh form of Peter, derived from the Greek Petros, which itself translates the Aramaic word Cephas, meaning rock or stone. The name was given by Jesus to his disciple Simon in the New Testament, signifying solidity, reliability, and enduring strength. In Welsh, the name is rendered with the characteristic economy of the language, stripping the Latinate ending to produce a clean, strong monosyllabic form that sits naturally within the Welsh linguistic tradition.
Pedro
“Rock; steadfast and strong as stone”
Pedro is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Peter, meaning 'rock' or 'stone' from the Greek 'petros'. It is one of the foundational names of the Christian tradition, honouring the apostle whom Christ named the rock upon which he would build his church. Pedro carries connotations of strength, reliability, and enduring faith.
Peer
“Rock or stone”
Peer is a German and Scandinavian form of Peter, itself from the Greek Petros meaning rock or stone. The name carries associations of steadfastness, reliability, and groundedness. In its brevity it has a striking, modern quality, though it is rooted in one of the oldest and most widespread names in the Christian tradition. It is particularly associated with the Norwegian literary hero Peer Gynt.
Peisistratos
“An ancient Greek compound name meaning”
Peisistratos (Πεισίστρατος) is a compound Greek name formed from peitho (πείθω), meaning 'to persuade,' 'to convince,' or 'to win over,' and stratos (στρατός), meaning 'army' or 'military force.' Together the name means 'one who persuades the army' or 'he who wins the army over,' a meaning that reflects the ancient Greek understanding of military and political leadership as requiring both force and rhetorical skill. The name is most famously borne by Peisistratos of Athens, the 6th-century BCE tyrant who ruled Athens and whose cultural patronage helped shape classical Athenian civilization.
Pele
“Wonder, miracle”
Pele comes from the Hebrew word 'pele,' meaning 'wonder,' 'miracle,' or 'marvel.' In the Hebrew Bible it is used as a divine epithet, suggesting that the bearer is a wonder or that their existence reflects something miraculous.
Peled
“Steel, iron”
Peled is a Hebrew name derived from the root meaning 'steel' or 'iron,' symbolizing strength, hardness, and resilience. The name conveys qualities of toughness and endurance, evoking the unyielding nature of metal.
Peleg
“Division, channel of water”
Peleg comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'division' or 'channel of water,' referring to a watercourse or the dividing of streams. In the biblical narrative, the name is associated with the division of the earth among peoples during his lifetime.
Peleus
“muddy or of clay”
Peleus derives from the Greek root relating to mud or clay, suggesting an earthly, grounded quality in contrast to his divine connections. In Greek mythology, Peleus was a celebrated Argonaut and king of Phthia in Thessaly, renowned for his virtue and heroic deeds. His most enduring legacy is as the mortal father of Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Trojan War, making Peleus a symbol of paternal legacy and heroic lineage.
Pelham
“Homestead of Peola's people”
Pelham originated as a locational surname from several villages in England, most notably in Hertfordshire. It was transferred to use as a given name following the common English practice of adopting aristocratic surnames as first names. The name has a distinctly patrician quality and was especially fashionable in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Pellegrino
“pilgrim or traveler”
Pellegrino derives from the Latin peregrinus, meaning a foreigner, traveler, or stranger, someone who passes through a place rather than dwelling in it permanently. In Christian tradition, the term acquired the specific meaning of a pilgrim: one who undertakes a sacred journey to a holy site in pursuit of spiritual grace or healing. The name thus carries associations of faith, movement, and the willingness to leave comfort behind in search of something greater.
Pemberton
“Farmstead near Pendle Hill”
Pemberton is a village in Greater Manchester, England, and the surname derived from it has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the nineteenth century. It carries a robust, somewhat old-fashioned charm that fits within the trend for reviving vintage surname-names. The name has both British and North American currency through notable bearers.
Pembroke
“Headland”
Pembroke is derived from the Welsh place name for Pembroke in south-west Wales, which itself comes from the Welsh 'pen' meaning head or headland, and the Old English or Old Norse 'bro' meaning bridge or land. As a given name it is exceptionally rare, carrying a distinctly aristocratic and Welsh character. It is associated with the earldom of Pembroke, one of the oldest and most distinguished titles in British peerage.
Pendleton
“Moorland farmstead near Pendle”
Pendleton is both an English village near Manchester and a small city in Oregon, USA, and the surname derived from the English original has been used as a given name in America since the nineteenth century. It has a strong, distinguished sound and a history of use among prominent American families. The name balances rugged associations with a polished, formal quality.
Penfield
“Open land with an animal enclosure”
Penfield is a surname of English toponymic origin that has been used as a given name, particularly in North America where the surname was carried by early settlers. It has a clean, distinguished sound and a grounded, pastoral quality. The name is associated with intellectual achievement through its most famous bearer.
Peng
“Great roc bird”
Peng draws on one of the most vivid images in Chinese philosophy and mythology: the mighty roc, an impossibly vast bird capable of traversing the heavens in a single flight. The character itself conjures a creature whose wingspan darkens the sky and whose ambitions know no earthly limit. Parents who choose Peng for their child are invoking a tradition that prizes soaring vision, boundless potential, and the courage to rise above ordinary constraints. The name appears in the celebrated opening parable of the Zhuangzi, where the great Peng bird transforms from a colossal fish called Kun and ascends to the highest reaches of the sky, a philosophical symbol of transcendence and perspective.
Pengfei
“Roc flies high”
Pengfei combines the Chinese characters for roc and fly or soar. The roc is a mythical giant bird from the philosophical text Zhuangzi, celebrated for its ability to rise ninety thousand li into the sky, symbolising boundless ambition and the freedom to transcend limitations. The name is powerfully aspirational, expressing the hope that the child will achieve great heights in life.
Pengyu
“Great roc soaring through the universe”
Pengyu is written as 鹏宇 (péng yǔ), combining 鹏 (péng, the legendary giant roc bird of Chinese mythology, symbolizing great ambition and soaring heights) and 宇 (yǔ, meaning 'universe' or 'vast space'). The name expresses boundless ambition and the spirit to soar across the universe.
Peniel
“Face of God”
Peniel means 'face of God' in Hebrew, derived from 'panim' (face) and 'El' (God). The name commemorates the sacred site where Jacob wrestled with a divine being and declared that he had seen God face to face and survived.
Penn
“Enclosure or hilltop dweller”
Penn is a crisp, single-syllable name with deep English roots, historically associated with the Penn family of Pennsylvania fame. It carries a quiet strength and understated elegance that has made it appealing as both a surname and a given name. Its brevity gives it a modern, confident feel while retaining strong historical ties.
Pennant
“Headland or hilltop promontory”
Pennant is a rare and distinctive given name with deep Welsh-English roots, historically used as a surname in Wales. It evokes imagery of victory banners and championship flags, lending it a bold, triumphant character. Though unusual as a first name, it has a strong, memorable quality that sets it apart.
Penrhyn
“Headland or coastal promontory”
Penrhyn is a stately, place-derived name with strong Welsh-English aristocratic associations, most notably connected to Penrhyn Castle in Gwynedd, Wales. Its melodic, multi-syllable form gives it a dignified, almost noble character unusual among English given names. It remains rare as a personal name, making it a bold and geographically distinctive choice.
Pepe
“God will increase”
Pepe is the classic Spanish nickname for Jose (Joseph), which comes from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase'. The curious origin of Pepe as a nickname for Jose is debated: one theory traces it to a medieval abbreviation PP for Pater Putativus (putative father), referring to Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus. It is one of the most endearing and culturally embedded Spanish nicknames.
Per
“Rock, stone”
Per is the Scandinavian form of Peter, which derives from the Greek 'petros' meaning rock or stone. It is one of the oldest and most established male names across the Nordic countries, prized for its simplicity, strength, and directness. The name carries the same solid, dependable meaning as its Greek and Latin equivalents but with a distinctly Scandinavian character.
Perceval
“Pierce the valley; Grail knight of French Arthurian romance”
Perceval is a name of debated etymology, first appearing in Chretien de Troyes's late twelfth-century Arthurian romance. The most appealing folk etymology interprets it as a compound of the Old French percer, to pierce, and val, valley, giving pierce the valley, a name suggestive of bold adventure. Some scholars alternatively propose a Celtic origin, perhaps from Welsh Peredur, meaning hard spears.
Percival
“Pierce the vale”
Percival is an Arthurian name traditionally interpreted as 'pierce the vale,' suggesting one who breaks through into hidden or sacred territory. It carries connotations of questing, discovery, and noble purpose.
Percy
“Pierce the valley”
Percy derives from the Norman French surname Percy, which referred to a place in Normandy. The place name is thought to come from a Gaulish personal name combined with a suffix denoting an estate. As a given name it became strongly associated with the aristocratic Percy family of Northumberland, one of England's most powerful medieval dynasties. It has recently undergone a fashionable revival as a vintage boys name with charm and spirit.
Peredur
“Hard spear”
Peredur is a Welsh masculine name formed from the elements peri meaning spear and dur meaning hard or steel. It is the Welsh equivalent of Percival, the noble knight of Arthurian legend who sought the Holy Grail. The name appears in the Mabinogion, the medieval collection of Welsh tales, as the hero of Peredur fab Efrog, one of the Three Welsh Romances. In his story Peredur is raised in ignorance of chivalry by a protective mother, enters Arthur's court, and proves himself a great warrior and questing knight. The name carries the full weight of the Arthurian romantic tradition within the Welsh literary heritage.
Peregrin
“Wandering pilgrim or traveller”
Peregrin is an old English given name rooted in the Latin word for pilgrim or wanderer. It evokes the image of someone on a spiritual or physical journey, and carries a noble, literary quality. The name is rare today, which gives it a distinctive and timeless appeal.
Peregrine
“Traveller, pilgrim”
Peregrine derives from the Latin 'peregrinus', meaning foreign, one who comes from abroad, or more poetically, a traveller or pilgrim. In the medieval Christian tradition, the pilgrim was an important spiritual figure, and the name carried connotations of spiritual journey and devotion. In England, Peregrine became established as a given name among the aristocracy, acquiring an air of dashing eccentricity and upper-class confidence. The Peregrine falcon takes its name from the same Latin root, as it was believed to be caught in the wild while already in passage rather than taken from the nest. This connection to one of nature's most spectacular birds adds another dimension to the name's appeal. Today, Peregrine is rare but perfectly at home among English parents who favour long, literary names with strong historical character.
Pericles
“Exceedingly famous”
Pericles is composed of the Greek prefix peri, meaning around, beyond, or exceedingly, and kleos, meaning fame or glory. Together they convey the sense of one who is surrounded by fame or renowned above all others. The name was borne by the greatest statesman of ancient Athens, whose leadership defined the classical golden age of Greek civilisation.
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