Baby Names That Start With P
509 baby names beginning with the letter P — boys and girls, each with meaning and audio pronunciation.
The most-loved baby names starting with P, most-popular first. Tap any name to hear it pronounced and read its meaning.
Girl Names
Pennie#7408 in the U.S.A short form of Penelope — from the Greek, variously 'a weaver' (from pene, 'a weft/thread') orPhaedra#7409 in the U.S.From Greek Phaidra, 'bright, radiant, beaming' (from phaidros, 'bright')Pierson#7410 in the U.S.From the English surname Pierson, 'a son of Piers/Peter' (from the Greek petros, 'a rock/stone'Paislyn#7800 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Paisley (a town near Glasgow, and the swirling teardrop textile pattern)Payten#7801 in the U.S.A spelling of Payton/Peyton — from an English place/surname, variously 'the fighting man's estaPhenix#7802 in the U.S.Streamlined spelling of Phoenix — from Greek phoinix, 'the phoenix (a reborn firebird); deep rePortia#7803 in the U.S.From the Roman family name Porcius (linked to porcus, 'a pig', or to an offering); the clever hPranika#7804 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit prana ('breath; life-force; vital energy'), Pranika reads as 'full of life; lPravya#7805 in the U.S.A modern Sanskrit-style name, variously linked to pravina/pravara, 'skilled; clever; eminent; ePrisca#7806 in the U.S.From Latin priscus, 'ancient; venerable; of former times' (the feminine); a biblical name (PrisPennelope#8234 in the U.S.A spelling of Penelope — from the Greek, variously 'a weaver' and 'a duck' (penelops); the faitPriyanshi#8407 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit, 'beloved; one who is a part of love' (from priya, 'beloved; dear,' + ansh, 'Peach#8739 in the U.S.From the word peach — 'the sweet, fuzzy fruit' (via Latin persicum, 'Persian apple'); a sweet, Peggy#8740 in the U.S.A pet form of Margaret — from the Greek margarites, 'a pearl' (via Meg/Peg)Parklyn#8799 in the U.S.A modern name, joining a Park- element (an English word/surname, 'an enclosed green space') witPaw#8801 in the U.S.From the Karen (Myanmar) paw, variously 'a flower; fair; white' — a common Karen girls' elementPria#8808 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Priya — from the Sanskrit priya, 'beloved; dear; cherished'Penellope#8840 in the U.S.A double-l spelling of Penelope, from the Greek, often linked to 'weaver.' In the Odyssey, PenePaitynn#8918 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Payton/Peyton, an English place-and-family name usually read as 'Paega'sPaislie#9314 in the U.S.A spelling of Paisley — after the Scottish town (and the teardrop fabric pattern named for it; Parys#9317 in the U.S.A spelling of Paris — after the French capital (named for the Gaulish Parisii people); also theProsperity#9320 in the U.S.From the English word prosperity — 'thriving; flourishing; good fortune; success' (from the LatPsalms#9321 in the U.S.From Psalms, the biblical book of sacred songs and praises (Greek psalmoi, 'songs sung to a harPietra#9381 in the U.S.A feminine of Pietro (the Italian Peter) — from the Greek petra, 'a stone; a rock'Pure#9384 in the U.S.From the word pure — 'clean; clear; unblemished; free from what is bad' (from the Latin purus);Parizoda#9659 in the U.S.From the Persian-rooted Uzbek/Tajik parizoda, 'fairy-born; born of a fairy' (pari, 'fairy,' + -Percy#9941 in the U.S.A pet form of Percival — from the Old French perce val, 'pierce the valley'; also an English/NoPrayer#9943 in the U.S.From the English word prayer — via the Latin precari, 'to ask; to entreat', hence 'a devout petPreston#9944 in the U.S.From an English surname and place name — from Old English preost, 'a priest', plus tun, 'a settPruitt#9945 in the U.S.From the English surname Pruitt/Prewitt — from Old French preux, 'brave, valiant', plus a diminPema#10053 in the U.S.From the Tibetan pema, 'a lotus flower' (a symbol of purity and enlightenment in Buddhism); we Prakriti#10056 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit prakriti, 'nature; the natural world; the primal source/matter' (a key concepPoema#10221 in the U.S.From the Tahitian, where poe means 'pearl' - Poema is read as 'pearl of the deep sea,' a lustroParla#10716 in the U.S.From Turkish parla, 'shine; sparkle; glow' (the imperative of parlamak, 'to shine'); routes layPauleth#10717 in the U.S.A Spanish spelling of Paulette, the French diminutive of Paula, from the Latin paulus, 'small; Peniel#10718 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Peniel/Penuel, 'the face of God' — the place where Jacob wrestled and saw God 'Pressley#10720 in the U.S.A spelling of Presley — from the Old English preost ('a priest') + leah ('a meadow/clearing'), Pearson#10860 in the U.S.From the English surname Pearson, 'son of Piers' (Peter, 'rock; stone'); carried into first-namPrarthana#10893 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit prarthana, 'prayer; earnest request; devotion' — a meaning-rich, devotional nPaighton#10915 in the U.S.A respelling of Peyton, an English surname place name meaning 'Paega's town/estate.' A modern, Pearce#10949 in the U.S.An English surname from Piers, a medieval form of Peter, from the Greek petros, 'rock; stone.' Pacey#11672 in the U.S.A spelling of Pacey/Pace — an English surname variously from the Latin pax, 'peace', and from PPaolina#11677 in the U.S.An Italian diminutive of Paola (the feminine of Paolo/Paul), from the Latin paulus, 'small; litPeneloperose#11678 in the U.S.A modern combination name joining Penelope (Greek, linked to 'weaver' or the loyal wife of OdysPera#11679 in the U.S.From Greek pera, 'beyond, across, the far side' (the Istanbul district Pera); also linked to 'aProsper#11683 in the U.S.From the Latin Prosperus, 'fortunate; successful; prosperous; favourable'; a word/virtue-name; Providence#11684 in the U.S.From the English word providence, 'divine care; guidance; foresight' (Latin providere, 'to foreParneet#11859 in the U.S.From Punjabi (Sikh tradition), Parneet joins par- (linked to 'supreme; beyond') with neet/niti Paytyn#11860 in the U.S.Paytyn is a modern respelling of Payton/Peyton, an English surname from Old English meaning rouPetunia#11863 in the U.S.The petunia flowerPhia#11864 in the U.S.Phia is a short form of Sophia (Greek 'wisdom'), used as a full name in its own right. Airy andPhynix#11865 in the U.S.Phynix is a modern respelling of Phoenix, the mythical firebird that rises reborn from ashes (fPippin#11866 in the U.S.Pippin names a type of small apple and reads as a bright, playful pet-name; it also appears in Prabhleen#11867 in the U.S.From Punjabi (Sikh tradition), Prabhleen joins prabh ('God; Lord') with leen ('absorbed; immersPragya#11868 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit prajna (Pragya), 'wisdom; higher intelligence; insight' — a concept prized inPriyana#11870 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit priya ('beloved; dear'), Priyana reads as 'beloved; dear one,' in the Priya/PPace#11924 in the U.S.An English surname, from a medieval given name tied to Pascha ('Easter'; ultimately linked to 'Pola#11935 in the U.S.Pola is a Polish and Yiddish name, made internationally visible by the Polish-born silent film Prisma#11939 in the U.S.A modern name from prism (Greek prisma, 'something sawn; a sawn object'), evoking rainbows and Paetyn#12857 in the U.S.A spelling of Payton/Peyton — from an English surname and place-name, variously 'Paega's town/ePailyn#12858 in the U.S.A modern American coinage, blending a Pay-/Pai- opening with the popular -lyn ending, in the PaPaisyn#12859 in the U.S.A spelling of Paisley — a Scottish place/surname, 'a church; a basilica/cemetery' (from the LatPaizleigh#12860 in the U.S.A spelling of Paisley — a Scottish place/surname, 'a church; a basilica/cemetery' (also the paiParris#12862 in the U.S.A spelling of Paris — variously 'from Paris' (the French city, a surname) and Paris of Greek myPenelopi#12869 in the U.S.A spelling of Penelope — from the Greek, variously 'a weaver' (linked to pene, 'a weft/thread')Phenyx#12871 in the U.S.A spelling of Phoenix — from the Greek phoinix, variously 'the phoenix (a bird reborn from its Pheonix#12872 in the U.S.A spelling of Phoenix — from Greek phoinix, variously 'the phoenix (the mythical firebird reborPhyllis#12873 in the U.S.From the Greek phyllis, 'foliage; a green bough/leaf' (in myth, a Thracian princess turned intoPoem#12874 in the U.S.The English word poem, 'a work of verse; a lyrical composition,' used as a given name in the woPrapti#12876 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit prapti, 'attainment; achievement; gain; the reaching of a goal'Princesse#12880 in the U.S.A French spelling of Princess — from the Latin princeps, 'first; chief', hence 'a royal daughtePaisleyann#13079 in the U.S.A modern compound: Paisley (a Scottish town, and the swirling teardrop pattern named for it) joPaitlyn#13080 in the U.S.Paitlyn is a modern American respelling in the Caitlin/Kaitlyn family, swapping the K- for a P-Pallas#13081 in the U.S.Pallas is the classical epithet of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategy — Pallas AtPascale#13082 in the U.S.The French feminine of Pascal, from Late Latin paschalis, 'relating to Easter' — itself from HePatty#13083 in the U.S.A traditional English pet form of Patricia, from Latin patricia, 'noble; of the patrician classPeregrine#13084 in the U.S.From Latin peregrinus, 'foreigner; traveler; pilgrim' — the source of the falcon's name too, siPixie#13085 in the U.S.A word name from English pixie, a small fairy of Devon and Cornwall folklore. The word's own orPolaris#13086 in the U.S.From Latin stella polaris, 'pole star' — the North Star that sits almost directly above Earth'sPower#13087 in the U.S.A word name from English power, 'strength; capacity to act', in the tradition of virtue names lPrajna#13088 in the U.S.From Sanskrit prajna, 'wisdom; discernment; insight'. In Buddhism prajna names the liberating iPreslyn#13089 in the U.S.A modern American blend of Presley — an Old English surname from a place name meaning 'priest'sPreslynn#13090 in the U.S.The double-N spelling of Preslyn: a modern American blend of the surname Presley (Old English, Pryor#13091 in the U.S.An English occupational surname from Middle English prior, the head of a priory or second-in-coPage#13116 in the U.S.From the English word and occupational surname page — a young attendant or servant in a noble hPatton#13120 in the U.S.An English surname, from a diminutive of Patrick ('noble; patrician'), famously borne by GeneraPerrin#13122 in the U.S.An English/French surname and a medieval diminutive of Peter ('rock; stone'); also the charactePersia#13123 in the U.S.Persia is the historic Western name for Iran, from the Greek Persis, itself from the region of Portlyn#13130 in the U.S.A modern coinage blending a Port- opening (as in Portland/Portia) with the fashionable -lyn endPaislea#13232 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Paisley, a Scottish place and surname (from a word for 'church; basilicaPareesa#13234 in the U.S.From the Persian Parisa, 'like a fairy; angelic; fairy-like' (from pari, 'fairy'). A graceful, Patti#13460 in the U.S.A pet form of Patricia, from the Latin patricius, 'noble; of the patrician class.' A warm, retr
Boy Names
Pasha#7548 in the U.S.Variously a Russian pet form of Pavel (Paul, 'small; humble', Latin) and the Turkish/Ottoman tiPayden#7549 in the U.S.A modern name echoing Payton ('a fighting man's estate', Old English) and Paden/Aiden; no singlPharrell#7551 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Farrell — from the Irish O Fearghail, 'a man of valour; a hero' (fear, 'man'Pratham#7555 in the U.S.From Sanskrit pratham, 'the first; foremost; primary; the best'Paarth#8073 in the U.S.A spelling of Parth/Partha — from Sanskrit, 'a king', and 'son of Pritha (Kunti)', a name of ArPaxson#8075 in the U.S.From an English surname, 'son of Pack/Paxton'; also read with the Latin pax, 'peace'; 'a son ofPhelix#8077 in the U.S.A spelling of Felix — from the Latin, 'happy; lucky; fortunate; successful'Phil#8078 in the U.S.A short form of Philip, from the Greek Philippos, 'lover of horses' (philos + hippos). A friendPhilemon#8079 in the U.S.From the Greek Philemon, 'affectionate; loving' (from philein, 'to love; to kiss') — a New TestPius#8081 in the U.S.From the Latin pius, 'pious; dutiful; devout.' Borne by many popes (Pius I through Pius XII) — Pranay#8082 in the U.S.From Sanskrit pranaya, 'love; affection; romance; attachment' — also 'leadership; guidance'Princeston#8084 in the U.S.An -es- spelling of Princeton — from Old English, 'the prince's town or estate' (prince plus tuProdigy#8085 in the U.S.From the word prodigy — 'a person of exceptional talent or ability; a marvel' (from Latin prodiPruitt#8086 in the U.S.From an English surname of French origin — from preux, 'brave; valiant; gallant' (hence 'the liPiercen#8142 in the U.S.An elaboration of Pierce/Pierson — from Piers (a medieval form of Peter, Greek 'rock; stone'), Prophecy#8147 in the U.S.The English word prophecy, 'a foretelling; an inspired or divine message,' used directly as a gPhilippos#8660 in the U.S.The Greek form of Philip, from Philippos, 'lover of horses' (philos, 'loving,' and hippos, 'horParish#8740 in the U.S.From the English word/surname Parish, 'a local church district,' from Old French paroisse; usedParrish#8742 in the U.S.From the English surname, 'one who lives by/in the parish; an ecclesiastical district' (from OlPaxten#8743 in the U.S.A spelling of Paxton — from an English place/surname, 'Poecc's town' (later linked to Latin paxPayne#8744 in the U.S.An English surname from the medieval given name Pain/Payn — from the Latin paganus, 'a countrymPeterson#8745 in the U.S.A patronymic surname — 'the son of Peter' (Peter, from the Greek petros, 'a rock/stone'); we noPetros#8746 in the U.S.The Greek form of Peter — from Greek petros, 'a stone, a rock'Pike#8747 in the U.S.From the English, variously 'a pike (a long-bodied fish; a spear)' and 'a peak/pointed hill' (aPinches#8748 in the U.S.A Yiddish form of Phinehas/Pinchas — from Hebrew/Egyptian, variously 'the Nubian/dark-skinned',Polo#8750 in the U.S.From the Italian surname Polo (Marco Polo, the explorer); also a Spanish short form of HipolitoPowell#8751 in the U.S.From the Welsh surname Powell — 'son of Howell' (ap Hywell), Howell meaning 'eminent; conspicuoPower#8752 in the U.S.Variously the word power, 'strength, might, ability', and the Norman surname Power/Poer ('a pooPrometheus#8754 in the U.S.From Greek Prometheus, 'forethought; the foreseeing one' (pro, 'before', plus a root for 'to thPhor#8775 in the U.S.A modern name of uncertain origin (variously a stylized spelling of Four/Thor or a short coinagPrestin#8777 in the U.S.A spelling of Preston — an English place/surname, 'the priest's town/estate' (Old English preosPaxston#9465 in the U.S.A respelling of the English surname Paxton, 'Pack's settlement (town),' widely felt as a peace Pecos#9466 in the U.S.Pecos is a place name from the American Southwest: the Pecos River, which runs from New Mexico Parv#9480 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit parv/parva, 'a festival; a sacred/joyful occasion; a division of time'Pesach#9481 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Pesach, 'Passover; to pass over; to spare' (the festival commemorating the ExodPharoah#9482 in the U.S.A spelling of Pharaoh — the title of the kings of ancient Egypt, from Egyptian per-aa, 'the grePlaton#9484 in the U.S.The Greek/Russian form of Plato — from Greek platon, 'broad; broad-shouldered; wide'Pragyan#9485 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit pragyan/pragya, 'wisdom; knowledge; intelligence; consciousness'Prestyn#9487 in the U.S.A spelling of Preston — from Old English preost, 'a priest', plus tun, 'a settlement'; 'the priPrish#9488 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a short of Prisha ('beloved; God's gift', Sanskrit) and a coinage; no Paco#9618 in the U.S.A Spanish pet form of Francisco — from the Latin, 'a Frenchman; free', ultimately honoring SainPars#9620 in the U.S.Variously from the Turkish pars, 'a leopard/panther', and the Persian Pars, an old name for PerPhoenixx#9625 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Phoenix — from the Greek phoinix, 'the phoenix (a mythical bird reborn fPranish#9631 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit — prana, 'life/breath/life-force', + ish, 'lord', hence 'lord of life; full oPerfect#10316 in the U.S.The English word perfect, 'complete; flawless; whole,' used directly as a given name in the virPadraig#10416 in the U.S.The Irish form of Patrick — from Latin patricius, 'a nobleman; a patrician; of noble birth'Pavan#10417 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit Pavan (Pawan), 'wind; air; the breeze' — also a name of the Hindu wind god VaPerez#10419 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Peretz — 'a breach; a breakthrough; one who breaks forth'; a son of Judah, an aPierceson#10421 in the U.S.A modern surname-style name, 'son of Pierce' — Pierce itself from Piers, a medieval form of PetPj#10422 in the U.S.An initials-name, spelling out the letters P and J — often standing in for a longer name (PeterPorfirio#10424 in the U.S.From the Spanish Porfirio (Greek Porphyrios) — from porphyra, 'purple; porphyry (a purple stonePrynceton#10425 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Princeton, 'prince's town; the estate of the prince' — a New Jersey placPatterson#10513 in the U.S.From the English and Scottish surname Patterson, 'son of Patrick' (Patrick from Latin patriciusPilot#10518 in the U.S.The English word for one who steers a ship or flies an aircraft, reaching English through FrencPhanuel#10584 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Phanuel/Penuel, 'face of God' — also the name of an archangel in the Book of EnPedrito#10614 in the U.S.A Spanish diminutive of Pedro, from the Greek Petros, 'rock; stone' — so 'little Pedro; little Peniel#10615 in the U.S.From the Hebrew Peniel (Penuel), 'face of God' — the biblical place where Jacob wrestled with GPortland#10618 in the U.S.A place name — the cities in Oregon and Maine, and the English Isle of Portland — literally 'laPrentiss#10620 in the U.S.From the English surname Prentiss (Prentice), 'an apprentice; a learner' (from Old French aprenPavle#11655 in the U.S.The Serbian (and South Slavic) form of Paul, from the Latin Paulus, 'small; humble.' A settled Philo#11663 in the U.S.From the Greek philos, 'loving; dear; a friend; beloved' (the philosopher Philo of Alexandria)Philopateer#11664 in the U.S.From Greek philopator, 'a lover of the father' (philos, 'loving', plus pater, 'father') — a CopPoyraz#11665 in the U.S.From the Turkish poyraz, 'the northeast wind' (from the Greek Boreas, the north wind)Pratt#11667 in the U.S.From the English surname Pratt, from Old English praett, 'a trick; cunning.' Familiar today viaPrayer#11669 in the U.S.From the English word prayer — 'a devout petition/entreaty to God'; a modern virtue/word-name; Premier#11670 in the U.S.A word name — 'premier,' meaning 'first; foremost; leading' (from French premier, Latin primariPrentice#11671 in the U.S.From the English surname Prentice, from 'apprentice' (Old French aprentis), 'a learner; one bouPrincetyn#11672 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Prince ('a prince; a king's son') with a -tyn ending (echoing Princeton,Pavlo#11889 in the U.S.The Ukrainian form of Paul, from the Latin paulus, 'small; humble.' A traditional Ukrainian namPearse#11891 in the U.S.An Irish surname spelling of Piers, the medieval English form of Peter, from Greek petros ('rocPernell#11893 in the U.S.A medieval English name from Petronilla (a diminutive linked to Peter, from Latin/Greek petra, Pacen#11927 in the U.S.Reads as a modern coinage, respelling Payson/Payton or echoing Latin pax ('peace'). No single fParas#11930 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit/Hindi Paras (Parasmani), the mythical 'touchstone' or philosopher's stone saiPatrik#11933 in the U.S.A Slavic and Scandinavian spelling of Patrick, from the Latin patricius, 'nobleman; patrician.'Penelope#11935 in the U.S.From the Greek Penelope, likely 'weaver' (or linked to a wild duck) — the faithful wife of OdysPierston#11938 in the U.S.Reads as a modern surname-style coinage, blending Pierce/Pier with the -ston ending (near PrestPiper#11939 in the U.S.From the English occupational surname Piper, 'one who plays the pipe or flute.' Used here for aPrabhav#11942 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit Prabhav, 'influence; power; majesty; effect.' A settled Indian name evoking sPranil#11943 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit prana ('life-breath; vital force'), Pranil is read 'full of life; lively.' A Pranshu#11944 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit, joining prana ('life') and anshu ('ray; portion'), read roughly 'a ray of liPraveer#11946 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit Praveer, 'brave; a hero; a valiant chief or leader,' built on vira ('hero'). Pure#11949 in the U.S.From the English word 'pure,' 'clean; unmixed; innocent; free from taint' (via Latin purus). A Paisley#13390 in the U.S.From the Scottish town of Paisley, which gave its name to the swirling teardrop textile patternPanayiotis#13391 in the U.S.From the Greek Panagiotis, 'all-holy,' honoring the Panagia ('All-Holy One'), a title of the ViPapa#13392 in the U.S.From the Akan (Ghanaian), 'good; a good person/father' (also widely a word for 'father'); routeParris#13394 in the U.S.From the English surname Parris/Parrish, variously 'from Paris,' 'a pear-tree dweller,' or fromParson#13395 in the U.S.From the English occupational surname Parson, 'a parish priest; clergyman,' carried into first-Phelan#13402 in the U.S.From the Gaelic Faolan — a diminutive of faol, 'a wolf', hence 'a little wolf'; borne by early Philipp#13403 in the U.S.A German form of Philip — from the Greek philos, 'loving', + hippos, 'a horse', hence 'a lover Phinneas#13404 in the U.S.A spelling of Phineas, from the Hebrew Pinchas, variously 'oracle,' 'the Nubian,' or 'mouth of Phong#13405 in the U.S.From the Vietnamese Phong — variously 'the wind', 'abundant/prosperous', and 'a mountain peak/sPieter#13408 in the U.S.A Dutch form of Peter — from the Greek petros, 'a rock; a stone'Pippin#13409 in the U.S.From the Frankish/Germanic name Pippin/Pepin — of uncertain meaning, possibly 'awe-inspiring' oPreacher#13415 in the U.S.From the English word/occupational name 'preacher,' one who proclaims or exhorts; also a graphiPol#13559 in the U.S.The Catalan form of Paul (and also the Breton Pol), from the Latin Paulus, 'small; humble'. A cPtah#13565 in the U.S.From the Egyptian Ptah, variously 'the opener; the sculptor/creator'; the Egyptian creator-god Perrion#13579 in the U.S.A modern coinage pairing a Perry- opening with an -on ending; no single fixed source. Routes unPatrice#13647 in the U.S.The French form used for men, from the Latin patricius, 'noble; patrician' — the masculine counPradyumna#13658 in the U.S.From the Sanskrit Pradyumna, 'the very mighty; pre-eminent in strength' — a son of Krishna and Praneel#13660 in the U.S.Praneel is a modern Sanskrit-styled Indian name. It is commonly glossed as a name of Shiva, andPtolemy#13670 in the U.S.From the Greek Ptolemaios, 'warlike; aggressive.' Borne by the Macedonian dynasty that ruled EgPablito#13679 in the U.S.The Spanish diminutive of Pablo, itself from Latin Paulus ('small; humble'). Pablito is an affePage#13680 in the U.S.From the English occupational surname Page, 'a page; a young attendant in a noble household' (OPark#13681 in the U.S.From the English word and surname Park, 'an enclosed tract of land; a green space,' originally Parthiv#13682 in the U.S.From Sanskrit parthiva, 'of the earth; earthly,' derived from prithvi ('earth') — and by extensPaschal#13683 in the U.S.From Latin paschalis, 'relating to Easter,' which comes through Greek pascha from Hebrew PesachPate#13684 in the U.S.From the surname Pate, which arose from a medieval short form of Patrick (Latin Patricius, 'nobPaxtin#13685 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Paxton, from an English place name and surname meaning 'Poecc's settleme