Dog Names that Start with P

Introduction

Finding a dog name that suits your dog can take time. It's common to think about a name first, really cozy up to it, and then find a dog, but... how much sense does that really make? What if that name doesn't really reflect your dog in any way? Rather than do things backwards, like most people often do, try taking your time and weighing options. Really get to know your dog and draw inspiration from there. After all, there's no shortage of name ideas to sift through. Here are some name ideas that start with the letter "P" to get you started.

Dog Names That Start With P in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Dog With a Name that Starts with P

Pluto

If you were born in the 1930's or after, then you absolutely know about Pluto. His first appearance was in the Mickey Mouse cartoon called The Chain Gang, and he was a little-known bloodhound tracking Mickey, an escaped prisoner. After public approval of the character, Pluto was adapted into Minnie Mouse's dog, named Rover. It was in 1931 that he was properly named Pluto, and it's been that way ever since.

What makes Pluto so amazing is that he is very devoted, very loyal, and protective. Much like a fun-loving dog in real life, Pluto is happiest when he's around Minnie and Mickey Mouse, even if their plans don't turn out exactly as they imagined. But unlike your real life dog, Pluto can use his cartoon magic to his advantage. For instance, on a romantic visit to Minnie, Pluto helps Mickey with the spring cleaning. Maybe it's because he's been around for so long, or maybe it's because he's so likeable, but whatever the reason, Pluto is known as one of the six leading characters in the Disney franchise. He sits right alongside Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy.

Another all-time famous dog with a name that starts with the letter "P" is Pongo, from The Hundred and One Dalmatians, the 1956 book by Dodie Smith. Of course, Disney adapted it into their animated movie in 1961, and later into the live action edition in 1996. Pongo has always been known to be super smart, wise and sweet. He may not be the most well-behaved of dogs all the time, but he certainly knows how to process information and make smart decisions quickly.

As with any character this old, Pongo has seen several changes and adaptations over the years. While he has remained the same at his core, certain embellishments around him have been altered. For instance, his original mate, a fellow Dalmatian was named Missis. But in the newer versions, his mate is named Perdita. Also, his owner has changed. In the 1961 film, his owner was Roger Radcliffe, but in the book, it was Mr. Dearly. The TV show Once Upon a Time changed his name once again, this time to Archie Hopper.

Whatever the version, Pongo is very accomplished. He has fifteen children, appearances in shows and movies, appearances in video games, and even a huge dedication to him at the Walt Disney World Resort's Disney All-Star Resort.

Dog Names that Start with P Considerations

When selecting a dog name, it's easy to pick a name first and then get a dog. It's easy to think of a name as just that – something to call your dog when you want him by your side. But aren't names much more than that? In a human context, names have meanings, origins, historical value assigned to them; human belief and sociological meaning that makes a name interesting. But for dogs, it can be that and more!

For dogs, a name can reflect their personalities, their appearances, their likes and dislikes. Even their favorite toys and food. There is so much more to pull inspiration from for pets, especially dogs. When thinking of a dog name, consider how the dog carries himself, which toys get chewed up the fastest and how (more of a shredding, or a tactical unsewing), how the dog sleeps, and what he spends most of the time doing. Maybe the dog loves to sleep all day, much like a cat does. Or maybe your dog really just spends all day by the window, or outside in the backyard, wanting to play in the outdoors most of the time. Consider everything when it comes to selecting a dog name!

Male Dog Names that Start With P

Votes	Name	Vote
8	Pablo Latin in origin, this name means "small"
7	Paul From the Roman family name Paulus, which means "humble" in Latin
5	Preston From the Old English "priest"
5	Pascal French and English in origin, this name means "Easter" or "Passover"
4	Picard French, Scottish, and German in origin, this name is derived from the Picardy region in northern France
4	Popeye This name appears to have no distinct origin or meaning, other than its association with the spinach-eating, fictional character
3	Presley English in origin, this means "from the priest's meadow"
3	Piano The topographic name for someone who lives on a plain or plateau, derived from the Latin "planum," meaning "flat"
3	Pioneer A name that means "starter" or "innovator" and is derived from the Old French word "peonier" or foot soldier
3	Pippin French for "name of a king"
3	Patrick English in origin, this name means "patrician, noble"
2	Phylax Ancient Greek for "watcher, guard, sentinel"
2	Pilot From the Middle French "pillotte," meaning "stake, pile"
2	Prince English in origin, this name means "principal one"
2	Primo Spanish in origin, this name comes from the Latin word "Primus" meaning "first"
2	Philip Greek in origin, this name means "lover of horses"
1	Porsche German for "offering"
1	Pago A name that means "payment" in Spanish, this name is popular in America, and limited in England and Wales
0	Piccolo A musical instrument, derived from the French "petit" referencing to the size of the flute
0	Primus A direct Latin word meaning "first"
0	Peter Derived from the Latin "petra" and Greek "petros" meaning "stone or rock"
0	Pluto This is a Latin name referring to the god of the underworld, Pluto
0	Paco Spanish and Native American in origin, this name can mean "free" or "eagle," respectively
-1	Pongo American in origin, this isn't a common name, but it means "ape" or "soldier or marine" in military slang
-2	Picasso It means "magpie" in Spanish
-2	Pito Spanish in origin, this name means "whistle, horn"
-2	Poncho Spanish in origin, this name is a nickname for the name Francisco, which means "Frenchman"
-2	Pegasus Greek in origin, this name refers to the mythological winged horse
-3	Plato Greek in origin, derived from "platys," meaning "broad-shouldered"
-3	Pasqual Spanish in origin, this names means "relating to Easter," and is directly related to Pascal (French) and Pasquale (Italian)

Female Dog Names that Start With P

Votes	Name	Vote
7	Peyton English in origin, this name refers to a warrior's village, and is used for both males and females
6	Phyllis Greek for "leafy foliage"
4	Paris Greek in origin, the name refers to the prince of Troy who had a love affair with Helen, causing the Trojan war
4	Paisley Scottish in origin, this name refers to the patterned, colorful cloth produced in Paisley, Scotland
4	Paula The female version of Paul, this Latin name means "small"
4	Percy Derived from the Latin word "Persius," which means "to penetrate the hedge"
3	Patience From the Middle English "pacience," which has the same modern definition of being capable of waiting for long periods of time
3	Pang A Chinese name derived from the Zhou dynasty dating back to c. 1046 BC
3	Peta Not the organization, but the Native American name meaning "golden eagle"
2	Paradise From the Old French "paradis," referring to anyone who lived by a park or garden
2	Paloma Spanish in origin, this name means "dove"
1	Prudence Derived from the Latin "prudens," meaning "good judgement, virtue"
1	Phoebe From the Shakespearean play As You Like It, this name is Ancient Greek in origin, and means "bright/shining"
1	Perle French and Yiddish in origin, this name is a variation of spelling of the word/name "pearl"
1	Penny A pet form of Penelope, which means "bobbin"
1	Penelope Greek in origin, this name means "bobbin," referring to the cone that holds thread or yarn when weaving or sewing
1	Peggy Greek in origin, this name means "pearl"
0	Poppy From the Old English definition referring to various species of Papaver
0	Pandora Greek in origin, this name refers to the mythological Pandora, the first woman given gifts from the gods
0	Petra The feminine form of Peter, this Greek name means "stone, rock"
0	Pia From the Latin word meaning "pious, devout, prayerful"
-1	Pheonix Greek in origin, this name refers to a bird that built its own pyre, and was reborn from the ashes
-1	Persia Iran's former name, this is of Biblical origin, and means "horseman"
-1	Piper English name originally given to anyone who played a flute
-1	Patricia Latin in origin, this name means "noble"
-2	Pippa English in origin, it is the nickname for Philippa, the female version of Philip
-2	Pilar From Medieval Latin meaning "as above"
-2	Polly A variation of the name Molly, but no one is really sure how the change in "m" to "p" happened; English and Gaelic in origin
-2	Pam Short for Pamela, this name is from the Greek for "all, honey"
-2	Page French in origin, this name means "attendant"