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Paulo

Pronunciation: [ p-AWL-oh ]

Boy Name #1,604 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A classic apostolic name beloved across Latin cultures

Portuguese Brazilian Italian Spanish Filipino
Classic Traditional Elegant Strong

Meaning & Origin

"from the Paulus family"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin

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.

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

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

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

Pairs Well With

Paulo Ricardo Paulo Eduardo Paulo Miguel Paulo Henrique Paulo Andre Paulo Sergio Paulo Roberto

Sibling Names

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.

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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