Paul
Paul: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /pɔːl/ · /pɔl/
Meaning and origin of Paul
Root meaning: “small”
- A male given name from Latin of biblical origin.
Etymology
From Latin Paulus, from paulus (“small”). Doublet of Pablo and Paolo.
How popular is Paul?
Since 1880, 5,842 girls and 1,398,293 boys in the U.S. have been named Paul (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #637 in 1928. Its highest rank for boys was #12 in 1916. In 2025 it ranked #262 for boys, with 1,316 babies given the name.
Names similar to Paul
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin boy names
Sibling name ideas for Paul
Sister and brother names that share Paul's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Paul FAQ
What does the name Paul mean?
Paul traces back to a root meaning "small". A male given name from Latin of biblical origin. From Latin Paulus, from paulus (“small”). Doublet of Pablo and Paolo.
What is the origin of the name Paul?
Paul is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Paul?
Since 1880, 5,842 girls and 1,398,293 boys in the U.S. have been named Paul (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #637 in 1928. Its highest rank for boys was #12 in 1916. In 2025 it ranked #262 for boys, with 1,316 babies given the name.
Is Paul a boy or girl name?
Paul is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 5,842 girls and 1,398,293 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.