"small, humble"
Origin: Latin Paulus
Language: English
Paul
Pronunciation: [ p-AWL ]
Does Paul flow with your last name?
The apostle who shaped the Western world — in one syllable
Latin
Christian
English
French
German
Spanish
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Minimalist
Spiritual
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Meaning & Origin
"little one"
Origin: Roman cognomen
Language: Latin
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The Story of Paul
Paul derives from the Latin 'Paulus,' meaning small or humble. It was a common Roman cognomen (family name), most famously borne by Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul's missionary journeys and letters (the Pauline epistles) shaped Christianity more profoundly than almost any other figure, making the name a cornerstone of Western Christian naming tradition.
Paul was a top-10 name in the US for much of the 20th century, riding waves of papal influence (multiple Popes Paul), Beatlemania (Paul McCartney), and the broader fashion for short, solid names. It has declined since the 1980s but remains a perennial classic — one of the most internationally recognized names in the world.
St. Paul is one of Christianity's most influential figures, and the name Paul has been borne by six popes. In French culture, Paul is a classic philosophical name associated with existentialism and literature. Paul McCartney, Pablo Picasso (Pablo = Paul in Spanish), and Pope John Paul II represent the name's remarkable breadth.
Historical Record
Paul first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 852,203 babies have been named Paul in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Paul is past its peak , currently ranked #264 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Paul the Apostle wrote approximately half the New Testament's books
- Pablo (Paul in Spanish) Picasso created over 20,000 works of art, transforming modern painting
- Paul has been the name of 6 Catholic popes, most recently Paul VI (1963-1978)
Paul in Other Languages
Greek
Παύλος
French
Paul
German
Paul
Italian
Paolo
Russian
Павел (Pavel)
Spanish
Pablo
Portuguese
Paulo
Popularity Over Time
#264
Current Rank
Peaked 1958
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Paul
P
Paul McCartney
Musician
1942
British musician and member of The Beatles, one of the best-selling music artists in history
P
Paul Newman
Actor
1925
American actor, director, and philanthropist; starred in Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
P
Paul the Apostle
Religious
Christian apostle whose letters form much of the New Testament; formerly Saul of Tarsus
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Compare Paul with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #264
- Total SSA Count
- 1,320
- Cultural Origins
- Latin Christian English French German Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Paul
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Paul is also used as a girl name, ranked #39029.
View Paul as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Latin)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Paul
What does the name Paul mean?
"small, humble" (from Latin Paulus). "little one" (from Roman cognomen). Paul derives from the Latin 'Paulus,' meaning small or humble. It was a common Roman cognomen (family name), most famously borne by Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul's missionary journeys and letters (the Pauline epistles) shaped Christianity more profoundly than almost any other figure, making the name a cornerstone of Western Christian naming tradition.
What is the origin of the name Paul?
Paul has Latin Paulus, Roman cognomen, Latin, Christian, English, French, German, and Spanish origins. In Latin Paulus, it means "small, humble". In Roman cognomen, it means "little one".
Is Paul a boy or girl name?
Paul is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #264. As a girl name, it is ranked #39029. Paul is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Paul?
Paul is pronounced p-AWL.
How popular is the name Paul?
Paul is currently ranked #264 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Paul?
Popular middle name pairings include Paul James, Paul Michael, Paul David, Paul Anthony, Paul Andrew, Paul Edward, and Paul Joseph.
What are good sibling names for Paul?
Names that pair well with Paul as siblings include Peter, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Mark, Luke, and Anna.
How many syllables does Paul have?
Paul has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Paul a common or rare name?
Paul is a popular name, ranked #264 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Paul?
About the Name Paul
Paul is a boy name with Latin, Christian, English, French, German, and Spanish origins . The name means "small, humble" in Latin Paulus .
Is Paul a boy or girl name? Paul is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #264 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #39,029. Paul is more commonly used as a boy name.
Paul is currently ranked #264 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Paul has 1 syllable and is pronounced p-AWL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Paul include Paulo, Pau . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis