Oliver vs Paul

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Oliver Rank #3
Paul Rank #264

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 vs #264 for Paul.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Oliver ___

  • Oliver James
  • Oliver Thomas
  • Oliver William
  • Oliver Henry
  • Oliver John
  • Oliver Benjamin

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 Oliver

Olivia Charlotte Emma Sophia Amelia

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 Oliver or Paul more popular?

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 compared to Paul at #264 in the United States.

What do Oliver and Paul mean?

Oliver means "olive tree" (Latin origin). Paul means "small, humble" (Latin Paulus origin).

Are Oliver and Paul boy or girl names?

Oliver is primarily a boy name. Paul is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Oliver ← Full profile: Paul Browse all baby names