Paul

Pronunciation: [ p-AWL ]

Boy Name #264 Most Popular Steady 1 Syllable

The apostle who shaped the Western world — in one syllable

Latin Christian English French German Spanish

Classic Traditional Strong Minimalist Spiritual

Meaning & Origin

"small, humble"

Origin: Latin Paulus

Language: English

"little one"

Origin: Roman cognomen

Language: Latin

The Story of Paul

Paul derives from the Latin 'Paulus,' meaning small or humble. It was a common Roman cognomen (family name), most famously borne by Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul's missionary journeys and letters (the Pauline epistles) shaped Christianity more profoundly than almost any other figure, making the name a cornerstone of Western Christian naming tradition.

Paul was a top-10 name in the US for much of the 20th century, riding waves of papal influence (multiple Popes Paul), Beatlemania (Paul McCartney), and the broader fashion for short, solid names. It has declined since the 1980s but remains a perennial classic — one of the most internationally recognized names in the world.

St. Paul is one of Christianity's most influential figures, and the name Paul has been borne by six popes. In French culture, Paul is a classic philosophical name associated with existentialism and literature. Paul McCartney, Pablo Picasso (Pablo = Paul in Spanish), and Pope John Paul II represent the name's remarkable breadth.

Fun Facts

Paul the Apostle wrote approximately half the New Testament's books
Pablo (Paul in Spanish) Picasso created over 20,000 works of art, transforming modern painting
Paul has been the name of 6 Catholic popes, most recently Paul VI (1963-1978)

Paul in Other Languages

Greek Παύλος

French Paul

German Paul

Italian Paolo

Russian Павел (Pavel)

Spanish Pablo

Portuguese Paulo

Famous People Named Paul

Paul McCartney

Musician

1942

British musician and member of The Beatles, one of the best-selling music artists in history

Paul Newman

Actor

1925

American actor, director, and philanthropist; starred in Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Paul the Apostle

Religious

Christian apostle whose letters form much of the New Testament; formerly Saul of Tarsus

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #264
Total SSA Count: 1,320
Cultural Origins: Latin Christian English French German Spanish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Paulo #1604 Pau #4516

Pairs Well With

Paul James Paul Michael Paul David Paul Anthony Paul Andrew Paul Edward Paul Joseph

Sibling Names

Peter John Mary Elizabeth Mark Luke Anna

Also a Girl Name

Paul is also used as a girl name, ranked #39029.

View Paul as a girl name →

Similar Names

Sol Rodolfo Raul Roel Sol

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Paul and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Paul sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Paul

What does the name Paul mean?

"small, humble" (from Latin Paulus). "little one" (from Roman cognomen). Paul derives from the Latin 'Paulus,' meaning small or humble. It was a common Roman cognomen (family name), most famously borne by Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul's missionary journeys and letters (the Pauline epistles) shaped Christianity more profoundly than almost any other figure, making the name a cornerstone of Western Christian naming tradition.

What is the origin of the name Paul?

Paul has Latin Paulus, Roman cognomen, Latin, Christian, English, French, German, and Spanish origins. In Latin Paulus, it means "small, humble". In Roman cognomen, it means "little one".

Is Paul a boy or girl name?

Paul is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #264. As a girl name, it is ranked #39029. Paul is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Paul?

Paul is pronounced p-AWL.

How popular is the name Paul?

Paul is currently ranked #264 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Paul?

Popular middle name pairings include Paul James, Paul Michael, Paul David, Paul Anthony, Paul Andrew, Paul Edward, and Paul Joseph.

What are good sibling names for Paul?

Names that pair well with Paul as siblings include Peter, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Mark, Luke, and Anna.

How many syllables does Paul have?

Paul has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Paul a common or rare name?

Paul is a popular name, ranked #264 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Paul

Paul is a boy name with Latin, Christian, English, French, German, and Spanish origins . The name means "small, humble" in Latin Paulus .

Is Paul a boy or girl name? Paul is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #264 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #39,029. Paul is more commonly used as a boy name.

Paul is currently ranked #264 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Paul has 1 syllable and is pronounced p-AWL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Paul include Paulo, Pau . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.