Paul vs Preston

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 →

Preston

Boy #330 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"priest's town, priestly settlement"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#330
Total SSA Count
1,045
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Pres, Prez

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Preston →

Popularity Comparison

Paul Rank #264
Preston Rank #330

Paul is more popular, ranked #264 vs #330 for Preston.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Paul ___

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

Preston ___

  • Preston James
  • Preston Alexander
  • Preston Cole
  • Preston Lee
  • Preston Michael

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Paul

Peter John Mary Elizabeth Mark

If you choose Preston

Sutton Clayton Raleigh Weston Sawyer

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 Paul or Preston more popular?

Paul is more popular, ranked #264 compared to Preston at #330 in the United States.

What do Paul and Preston mean?

Paul means "small, humble" (Latin Paulus origin). Preston means "priest's town, priestly settlement" (Old English origin).

Are Paul and Preston boy or girl names?

Paul is primarily a boy name. Preston is primarily a boy name.

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