"from the Paulus family"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Paulo
Pronunciation: [ p-AWL-oh ]
Does Paulo flow with your last name?
A classic apostolic name beloved across Latin cultures
Portuguese
Brazilian
Italian
Spanish
Filipino
Classic
Traditional
Elegant
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Paulo
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
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The Story of Paulo
Paulo is the Portuguese and Galician form of Paul, derived from the Roman family name Paulus, from the Latin paulus meaning small or humble. The name gained worldwide prominence through Saint Paul the Apostle (originally Saul of Tarsus), whose missionary journeys spread Christianity across the Roman Empire. Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, is named in his honor.
Paulo is consistently one of the most popular names in Brazil and Portugal. The city of Sao Paulo, the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, keeps the name in global consciousness. The name has stable popularity across generations in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Saint Paul the Apostles letters form a cornerstone of the New Testament and Christian theology. In Brazil, Sao Paulo is not just the countrys economic capital but a cultural hub. Paulo Coelho, one of the most widely read authors globally, has given the name a literary dimension.
Historical Record
Paulo first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 4,461 babies have been named Paulo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Paulo is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,604 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Sao Paulo is the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere and the financial capital of Brazil
- Paulo Coelhos The Alchemist has been translated into 80 languages, one of the best-selling books in history
Paulo in Other Languages
Arabic
بولس
French
Paul
German
Paul
Italian
Paolo
Spanish
Pablo
Portuguese
Paulo
Popularity Over Time
#1,604
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Paulo
P
Paulo Dybala
Athlete
1993
Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and has starred for Juventus and Roma
P
Paulo Salave'a
Actor
1979
American actor and wrestler known for his role in American Horror Story
P
Paulo Coelho
Writer
1947
Brazilian author of The Alchemist, one of the best-selling books of all time
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Compare Paulo with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,604
- Total SSA Count
- 107
- Cultural Origins
- Portuguese Brazilian Italian Spanish Filipino
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Paulinho
Pau
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Portuguese heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Paulo
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Greek (anthos) origin
"flower"
#1,480 in US
Nestor
Boy
Greek origin
"traveler, one who returns home"
#1,712 in US
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Basque origin
"beautiful"
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Eros
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Ancient Greek origin
"primordial force of attraction"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Paulo
What does the name Paulo mean?
"from the Paulus family" (from Latin). Paulo is the Portuguese and Galician form of Paul, derived from the Roman family name Paulus, from the Latin paulus meaning small or humble. The name gained worldwide prominence through Saint Paul the Apostle (originally Saul of Tarsus), whose missionary journeys spread Christianity across the Roman Empire. Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, is named in his honor.
What is the origin of the name Paulo?
Paulo has Latin, Portuguese, Brazilian, Italian, Spanish, and Filipino origins. In Latin, it means "from the Paulus family".
Is Paulo a boy or girl name?
Paulo is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Paulo?
Paulo is pronounced p-AWL-oh.
How popular is the name Paulo?
Paulo is currently ranked #1604 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Paulo?
Common nicknames for Paulo include Paulinho and Pau.
What are good middle names for Paulo?
Popular middle name pairings include Paulo Ricardo, Paulo Eduardo, Paulo Miguel, Paulo Henrique, Paulo Andre, Paulo Sergio, and Paulo Roberto.
What are good sibling names for Paulo?
Names that pair well with Paulo as siblings include Lucas, Rafael, Mateus, Isabela, Sofia, Ana, and Beatriz.
How many syllables does Paulo have?
Paulo has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Paulo a common or rare name?
Paulo is an uncommon name, ranked #1604 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Paulo?
Are there other spellings for Paulo?
Related spellings include Paul.
About the Name Paulo
Paulo is a boy name with Portuguese, Brazilian, Italian, Spanish, and Filipino origins . The name means "from the Paulus family" in Latin .
Paulo is currently ranked #1,604 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Paulo has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-AWL-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Paulo include Paulinho and Pau. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Paulo include Paul . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis