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Paul Name Origin: Latin
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Pronunciation: p(awl)
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See what 17 people think about Paul
Paul Name Meaning
The name Paul has its roots in Latin and means “small” or “humble”.
The Origins of Paul
In the New Testament, Saint Paul was a Christian apostle who was originally known as Saul. He was a highly influential figure in early Christianity and is credited with spreading the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. It’s likely that the name became popular as a result of its association with Saint Paul.
Popularity of the Name Paul
In the Middle Ages, the name Paul was widely used throughout Europe, particularly in France, where it was a popular name for monarchs and nobles. During the Renaissance, the popularity of the name Paul declined, but it remained in use among the upper classes.
The name Paul saw a resurgence in popularity in the 19th century, and it has remained one of the most popular names for boys ever since. In the 20th century, the name Paul became a popular choice for parents in the United States and the United Kingdom, and it continues to be a popular choice for parents today.
Famous Pauls
Throughout history, there have been many famous people named Paul, including musicians, politicians, and religious figures. Some of the most well-known people named Paul include:
- Paul McCartney: One of the most famous musicians of all time, Paul McCartney is a singer, songwriter, and former member of The Beatles.
- Saint Paul: As mentioned earlier, Saint Paul was a Christian apostle and a highly influential figure in early Christianity.
- Paul Bunyan: A folk hero in American folklore, Paul Bunyan is a lumberjack who is said to have cleared vast forests and created many of the natural wonders of the United States.
- Paul Klee: A Swiss-German painter and printmaker, Paul Klee was a leading member of the Expressionist movement and is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century.
- Paul Rand: An American graphic designer, Paul Rand was a pioneer in the field of advertising and is widely regarded as one of the greatest graphic designers of all time.
Today, the name Paul continues to be a popular choice for parents all over the world. It’s a timeless name that has stood the test of time, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re looking for a classic, traditional name for your son or simply want to pay homage to one of the many famous people named Paul, this is a name that’s sure to stand the test of time.
Final Thoughts on the Name Paul
In conclusion, the name Paul has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. It’s a name that has been associated with greatness and success, and it continues to be a popular choice for parents all over the world. So whether you’re a fan of Saint Paul, Paul McCartney, or any of the other famous people named Paul, there’s no denying that this is a name that will always hold a special place in history.
Infographic of Paul name meaning, which is Meaning small, Paul is a name of Latin origins.
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Paul Name Popularity
How popular is the name Paul? Here’s everything we know.
| Year |
Rank |
# Births |
% Births |
| 1910 |
— |
1,998 |
0.5675% |
| 1911 |
— |
2,384 |
0.6402% |
| 1912 |
— |
4,777 |
0.9473% |
| 1913 |
— |
5,962 |
1.0515% |
| 1914 |
— |
7,732 |
1.1095% |
| 1915 |
— |
10,328 |
1.1368% |
| 1916 |
— |
10,787 |
1.1167% |
| 1917 |
— |
11,155 |
1.115% |
| 1918 |
— |
11,751 |
1.0949% |
| 1919 |
— |
11,300 |
1.0791% |
| 1920 |
— |
12,565 |
1.1301% |
| 1921 |
— |
13,164 |
1.1496% |
| 1922 |
— |
12,922 |
1.1599% |
| 1923 |
— |
13,359 |
1.1927% |
| 1924 |
— |
13,339 |
1.1487% |
| 1925 |
— |
14,170 |
1.2537% |
| 1926 |
— |
13,652 |
1.2412% |
| 1927 |
— |
13,605 |
1.2291% |
| 1928 |
— |
13,158 |
1.2298% |
| 1929 |
— |
12,429 |
1.1999% |
| 1930 |
— |
12,956 |
1.2403% |
| 1931 |
— |
12,250 |
1.2412% |
| 1932 |
— |
12,069 |
1.2216% |
| 1933 |
— |
11,848 |
1.2717% |
| 1934 |
— |
12,197 |
1.2617% |
| 1935 |
— |
12,558 |
1.2923% |
| 1936 |
— |
12,305 |
1.2774% |
| 1937 |
— |
12,874 |
1.3065% |
| 1938 |
— |
13,354 |
1.3044% |
| 1939 |
— |
13,331 |
1.3106% |
| 1940 |
— |
14,101 |
1.3267% |
| 1941 |
— |
15,162 |
1.3471% |
| 1942 |
— |
16,486 |
1.3055% |
| 1943 |
— |
17,251 |
1.3214% |
| 1944 |
— |
16,653 |
1.3437% |
| 1945 |
— |
16,993 |
1.3934% |
| 1946 |
— |
21,055 |
1.4269% |
| 1947 |
— |
22,795 |
1.3656% |
| 1948 |
— |
21,246 |
1.3309% |
| 1949 |
— |
21,588 |
1.342% |
| 1950 |
— |
21,757 |
1.3513% |
| 1951 |
— |
22,851 |
1.3477% |
| 1952 |
— |
24,300 |
1.3921% |
| 1953 |
— |
25,491 |
1.4403% |
| 1954 |
— |
26,220 |
1.4343% |
| 1955 |
— |
26,678 |
1.4504% |
| 1956 |
— |
26,873 |
1.4228% |
| 1957 |
— |
26,983 |
1.4022% |
| 1958 |
— |
26,247 |
1.3888% |
| 1959 |
— |
25,694 |
1.3524% |
| 1960 |
— |
25,639 |
1.3532% |
| 1961 |
— |
25,623 |
1.3572% |
| 1962 |
— |
23,803 |
1.2965% |
| 1963 |
— |
26,678 |
1.4862% |
| 1964 |
— |
26,885 |
1.5274% |
| 1965 |
— |
24,926 |
1.5242% |
| 1966 |
— |
23,581 |
1.5103% |
| 1967 |
— |
22,842 |
1.5052% |
| 1968 |
— |
21,872 |
1.4566% |
| 1969 |
— |
20,698 |
1.3435% |
| 1970 |
— |
20,209 |
1.2699% |
| 1971 |
— |
17,477 |
1.1631% |
| 1972 |
— |
14,565 |
1.0694% |
| 1973 |
— |
12,906 |
0.9955% |
| 1974 |
— |
12,320 |
0.9479% |
| 1975 |
— |
12,017 |
0.9352% |
| 1976 |
— |
11,787 |
0.9145% |
| 1977 |
— |
11,807 |
0.8759% |
| 1978 |
— |
11,739 |
0.8731% |
| 1979 |
— |
11,646 |
0.8259% |
| 1980 |
— |
11,826 |
0.8088% |
| 1981 |
— |
11,779 |
0.8013% |
| 1982 |
— |
11,306 |
0.7566% |
| 1983 |
— |
10,827 |
0.7337% |
| 1984 |
— |
10,458 |
0.703% |
| 1985 |
— |
10,312 |
0.6794% |
| 1986 |
— |
9,709 |
0.6432% |
| 1987 |
— |
9,700 |
0.6356% |
| 1988 |
— |
9,428 |
0.605% |
| 1989 |
— |
9,029 |
0.5595% |
| 1990 |
— |
8,579 |
0.5176% |
| 1991 |
— |
7,677 |
0.471% |
| 1992 |
— |
6,999 |
0.4385% |
| 1993 |
— |
6,479 |
0.4156% |
| 1994 |
— |
5,798 |
0.3778% |
| 1995 |
— |
5,413 |
0.3592% |
| 1996 |
— |
4,879 |
0.3259% |
| 1997 |
— |
4,749 |
0.3211% |
| 1998 |
— |
4,319 |
0.2886% |
| 1999 |
— |
4,017 |
0.2682% |
| 2000 |
— |
3,787 |
0.2479% |
| 2001 |
— |
3,506 |
0.2327% |
| 2002 |
— |
3,257 |
0.2173% |
| 2003 |
— |
3,250 |
0.2136% |
| 2004 |
— |
3,178 |
0.2085% |
| 2005 |
— |
3,128 |
0.2046% |
| 2006 |
— |
3,014 |
0.1925% |
| 2007 |
— |
2,756 |
0.1747% |
| 2008 |
— |
2,546 |
0.1647% |
| 2009 |
— |
2,411 |
0.1613% |
| 2010 |
— |
2,114 |
0.1467% |
| 2011 |
— |
2,061 |
0.1447% |
| 2012 |
— |
1,936 |
0.1359% |
| 2013 |
— |
2,023 |
0.1421% |
| 2014 |
— |
1,993 |
0.1368% |
| 2015 |
— |
2,015 |
0.1385% |
| 2016 |
— |
1,924 |
0.1334% |
| 2017 |
— |
1,675 |
0.12% |
| 2018 |
— |
1,611 |
0.1173% |
| 2019 |
— |
1,474 |
0.1089% |
| 2020 |
— |
1,346 |
0.1057% |
| 2021 |
— |
1,346 |
0.1101% |
| 2022 |
— |
1,297 |
0.0983% |
| 2023 |
— |
1,339 |
0.1035% |
District of Columbia (DC)
Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Paul
If you like Paul, you’ll love these other names like Paul.
What names are variants of Paul?
Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Paul.
What names sound like Paul?
If you like how Paul sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Paul.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
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Bail
|
Berry clearing; bailiff; city fortification; valley
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English
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Pali
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Bird
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Polynesian
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Pall
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Skin, parchment
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English
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Peal
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English
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Peall
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|
English
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Peel
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English
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Pell
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Skin, parchment
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English
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What names are similar to Paul?
Find a name that’s like Paul, but just a little bit different.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
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Paley
|
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English
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Pollard
|
Small
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English
|
|
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Powell
|
Son of Howell
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English
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Lists With Paul
Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Paul.
Siblings of Paul
Mamas with kids named Paul also have kids with these names.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
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Naomi
|
Pleasant one
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Hebrew
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