Joao vs Paulo

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Joao

Boy #1,404 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew Yohanan

Cultural Roots

Brazilian Portuguese Cape Verdean Angolan

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,404
Total SSA Count
133
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Jão, João Pedro

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Joao →

Paulo

Boy #1,604 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"from the Paulus family"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Portuguese Brazilian Italian Spanish Filipino

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,604
Total SSA Count
107
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Paulinho, Pau

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Paulo →

Popularity Comparison

Joao Rank #1,404
Paulo Rank #1,604

Joao is more popular, ranked #1404 vs #1604 for Paulo.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Joao ___

  • Joao Pedro
  • Joao Paulo
  • Joao Miguel
  • Joao Carlos
  • Joao Henrique
  • Joao Felipe

Paulo ___

  • Paulo Ricardo
  • Paulo Eduardo
  • Paulo Miguel
  • Paulo Henrique
  • Paulo Andre
  • Paulo Sergio

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Joao

Ana Maria Luisa Pedro Mateus

If you choose Paulo

Lucas Rafael Mateus Isabela Sofia

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 Joao or Paulo more popular?

Joao is more popular, ranked #1404 compared to Paulo at #1604 in the United States.

What do Joao and Paulo mean?

Joao means "God is gracious" (Hebrew Yohanan origin). Paulo means "from the Paulus family" (Latin origin).

Are Joao and Paulo boy or girl names?

Joao is primarily a boy name. Paulo is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Paulo vs Joao Joao vs Kyzen Joao vs Jadon Joao vs Ender Joao vs Ivar
← Full profile: Joao ← Full profile: Paulo Browse all baby names