Carlos vs Paul

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Carlos

Boy #135 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong, virile"

Origin: Old High German

Cultural Roots

Spanish Portuguese Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#135
Total SSA Count
2,614
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Carlito, Carly

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Carlos →

Paul

Boy #264 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"small, humble"

Origin: Latin Paulus

Cultural Roots

Latin Christian English French German Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#264
Total SSA Count
1,320
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Paul →

Popularity Comparison

Carlos Rank #135
Paul Rank #264

Carlos is more popular, ranked #135 vs #264 for Paul.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Carlos ___

  • Carlos Miguel
  • Carlos Antonio
  • Carlos Eduardo
  • Carlos Fernando
  • Carlos Alberto
  • Carlos Jose

Paul ___

  • Paul James
  • Paul Michael
  • Paul David
  • Paul Anthony
  • Paul Andrew
  • Paul Edward

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Carlos

Miguel Diego Sofia Valentina Isabella

If you choose Paul

Peter John Mary Elizabeth Mark

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carlos or Paul more popular?

Carlos is more popular, ranked #135 compared to Paul at #264 in the United States.

What do Carlos and Paul mean?

Carlos means "strong, virile" (Old High German origin). Paul means "small, humble" (Latin Paulus origin).

Are Carlos and Paul boy or girl names?

Carlos is primarily a boy name. Paul is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Paul vs Carlos Carlos vs Kaiden Carlos vs Ryan Carlos vs Xavier Carlos vs Cruz
← Full profile: Carlos ← Full profile: Paul Browse all baby names