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Paladin

Pronunciation: [ p-AL-uhd-ihn ]

Boy Name #29,589 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables 7 Letters

Legendary knight name steeped in chivalry and honor

European Medieval American
Heroic Medieval Noble Strong Adventurous

Meaning & Origin

"Champion knight; defender of the palace and faith"
Origin: Old French palatinus, Latin
Language: English

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The Story of Paladin

Paladin comes from the Old French paladin and Latin palatinus, meaning a knight or champion associated with the palace. The Twelve Paladins were the greatest knights of Charlemagnes court, legendary warriors sworn to defend the Christian faith and empire. The word entered English to mean any heroic champion or knight-errant. As a first name, Paladin carries centuries of chivalric romance.

Paladin has seen growing interest as parents look beyond traditional fantasy names to medieval and chivalric vocabulary for inspiration.

The paladins of medieval legend embodied the highest ideals of knighthood: courage, loyalty, and honor in service to something greater than oneself.

Fun Facts

  • Paladin is also a character class in Dungeons and Dragons, representing holy warriors
  • The Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne inspired countless medieval epics and romances

Paladin in Other Languages

French Paladin
Italian Paladino
Spanish Paladin

Popularity Over Time

#29,589
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1958 Based on SSA data 1880–present
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Famous People Named Paladin

R

Roland Fictional

Military

778

The most famous of Charlemagnes Twelve Paladins, celebrated in the epic Song of Roland

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#29,589
Total SSA Count
5
Cultural Origins
European Medieval American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

Pal Adin
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Middle Name Ideas

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Sibling Names

Avalon Roland
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Similar Names

See all names like Paladin →
Dedric Boy Old High German Cochise Boy Chiricahua Apache Towns Boy Old English Dwright Boy Flemish/Dutch Ebony Boy Latin ebenus Vanessa Boy Literary English Larrry Boy Latin

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Paladin vs Dedric Paladin vs Cochise Paladin vs Towns Paladin vs Dwright

Same Origin Names (European)

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Frequently Asked Questions About Paladin

What does the name Paladin mean?
"Champion knight; defender of the palace and faith" (from Old French palatinus, Latin). Paladin comes from the Old French paladin and Latin palatinus, meaning a knight or champion associated with the palace. The Twelve Paladins were the greatest knights of Charlemagnes court, legendary warriors sworn to defend the Christian faith and empire. The word entered English to mean any heroic champion or knight-errant. As a first name, Paladin carries centuries of chivalric romance.
What is the origin of the name Paladin?
Paladin has Old French palatinus, Latin, European, Medieval, and American origins. In Old French palatinus, Latin, it means "Champion knight; defender of the palace and faith".
Is Paladin a boy or girl name?
Paladin is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Paladin?
Paladin is pronounced p-AL-uhd-ihn.
How popular is the name Paladin?
Paladin is currently ranked #29589 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Paladin?
Common nicknames for Paladin include Pal and Adin.
What are good middle names for Paladin?
Popular middle name pairings include Paladin James, Paladin Grey, Paladin Stone, Paladin Rhys, and Paladin Arthur.
What are good sibling names for Paladin?
Names that pair well with Paladin as siblings include Avalon and Roland.
How many syllables does Paladin have?
Paladin has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Paladin a common or rare name?
Paladin is an uncommon name, ranked #29589 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Paladin

Paladin is a boy name with European, Medieval, and American origins . The name means "Champion knight; defender of the palace and faith" in Old French palatinus, Latin .

Paladin is currently ranked #29,589 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Paladin has 3 syllables and is pronounced p-AL-uhd-ihn, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Paladin include Pal and Adin. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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