"small; humble"
Origin: Latin Paulus
Language: Catalan
Pau
Does Pau flow with your last name?
One syllable, centuries of history, pure Catalan soul
Catalan
Spanish
Valencian
Minimalist
Classic
Strong
Sophisticated
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The Story of Pau
Pau is the Catalan form of Paul, which derives from the Roman family name Paulus, meaning small or humble in Latin. The name was made famous by Saint Paul the Apostle, one of the foundational figures of Christianity, whose missionary journeys spread the faith across the Mediterranean world. In Catalonia, where Catalan language and culture are fiercely protected, Pau rather than Pablo or Paul is the authentic local form.
Pau has been consistently popular in Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands for generations. Its international visibility increased significantly thanks to basketball star Pau Gasol, who brought the name to global audiences during his NBA career.
Catalonia's distinct linguistic identity means that Catalan forms of names carry significant cultural weight. Choosing Pau over the Castilian Pablo is an assertion of Catalan identity. The name also connects to the deeply Catholic heritage of the region through its link to Saint Paul.
Historical Record
Pau first appeared in US Social Security records in 1989.
Over 417 babies have been named Pau in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Pau is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,516 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- NBA star Pau Gasol, two-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, is the most famous modern bearer of the name internationally
- Saint Pau del Camp is a Romanesque monastery in Barcelona, one of the oldest buildings in the city, named after this patron
Pau in Other Languages
French
Paul
German
Paul
Catalan
Pau
English
Paul
Italian
Paolo
Spanish
Pablo
Popularity Over Time
#4,516
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Pau
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Compare Pau with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,516
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- Catalan Spanish Valencian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Distinctive pick, Spanish 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
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Pau
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Pau is also used as a girl name, ranked #25476.
View Pau as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Catalan)
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Alfonzo
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Old Germanic origin
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Apolo
Boy
Greek origin
"destroyer"
#4,422 in US
Jullian
Boy
Latin origin
"of Julius, belonging to the Julian fa..."
#4,329 in US
Yeray
Boy
Guanche origin
"great, powerful"
#4,658 in US
Faustino
Boy
Latin origin
"favored by the gods, blessed"
#4,503 in US
Demonte
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Italian/French origin
"of the mountain"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pau
What does the name Pau mean?
"small; humble" (from Latin Paulus). Pau is the Catalan form of Paul, which derives from the Roman family name Paulus, meaning small or humble in Latin. The name was made famous by Saint Paul the Apostle, one of the foundational figures of Christianity, whose missionary journeys spread the faith across the Mediterranean world. In Catalonia, where Catalan language and culture are fiercely protected, Pau rather than Pablo or Paul is the authentic local form.
What is the origin of the name Pau?
Pau has Latin Paulus, Catalan, Spanish, and Valencian origins. In Latin Paulus, it means "small; humble".
Is Pau a boy or girl name?
Pau is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4516. As a girl name, it is ranked #25476. Pau is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Pau?
Pau is currently ranked #4516 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Pau?
Popular middle name pairings include Pau Andreu, Pau Marc, Pau Joan, Pau Jordi, Pau Arnau, Pau Lluc, and Pau Bernat.
What are good sibling names for Pau?
Names that pair well with Pau as siblings include Marc, Jan, Oriol, Laia, Neus, Berta, and Marta.
How many syllables does Pau have?
Pau has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Pau a common or rare name?
Pau is an uncommon name, ranked #4516 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Pau?
About the Name Pau
Pau is a boy name with Catalan, Spanish, and Valencian origins . The name means "small; humble" in Latin Paulus .
Is Pau a boy or girl name? Pau is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,516 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #25,476. Pau is more commonly used as a boy name.
Pau is currently ranked #4,516 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Pau has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Pau include Paul, Paulo . 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