Paul Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Paul Name Meaning

Fact: The name Paul is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Saul, illustrating his cultural adaptability​

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A Deep Dive

Paul Overview

Meaning

Small, humble

Gender

Boy

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin name “Paulus,” meaning “small” or “humble.”

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/pɔːl/

Popularity

Paul is a timeless name used globally, especially in European countries and the USA. In 2023, Paul ranked #239 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

4 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Traditional, Classic, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Humble, classic, reliable

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Strongly associated with Saint Paul the Apostle, a key figure in the spread of Christianity.

Name Day

June 29 (Catholic)
A Deep Dive

Paul Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Paulo, Pavel, Paolo, Pablo, Paulus

Common Nicknames

Paulie, Pauly, P, Pau, Pasha

Diminutives

Pol, Polly, Paulo, Paule, Pali

Famous People

  • Paul McCartney
    (English Musician)
  • Paul Newman
    (American Actor)
  • Paul Rudd
    (American Actor)
  • Paul Walker
    (American Actor)
  • Paul Simon
    (American Musician)
  • Paul Gauguin
    (French Artist)
  • Paul Allen
    (American Entrepreneur)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Paul Atreides
    ("Dune," Novel)
  • "Paul Blart: Mall Cop"
    (Film)
  • Paul McCartney
    ("Yesterday," Film)
  • Paul Edgecomb
    ("The Green Mile," Film)
  • "Paul"
    (Film)
  • Paul Hennessy
    ("8 Simple Rules," TV Series)

Places

  • St. Paul City
    (Minnesota, USA)
  • Paul Lake Provincial Park
    (British Columbia, Canada)
  • St. Paul Island
    (Alaska, USA)
  • Paul Smith's College
    (New York, USA)
  • St. Paul's Cathedral
    (London, England)

What Is the Meaning of Paul?

Paul means “small” or “humble.” This name conjures a personality that is modest and grounded, highlighting traits of humility and simplicity.

What Is the Origin of The Name Paul?

The name Paul originates from the Latin name “Paulus,” which means “small” or “humble.” It was adopted by early Christians due to the influence of Saint Paul, a key figure in the spread of Christianity.

Paul Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Paul in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2572021#2622022#2562023
Top 3 Rankings#121916#121930#121931

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Paul

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023256
(+6 from 2022)
1351
(+21 from 2022)
0.07378
2022262
(-5 from 2021)
1330
(-53 from 2021)
0.07101
2021257
(-5 from 2020)
1383
(-18 from 2020)
0.07381
2020252
(-7 from 2019)
1401
(-109 from 2019)
0.07574
2019245
(-11 from 2018)
1510
(-124 from 2018)
0.07857
2018234
(-9 from 2017)
1634
(-62 from 2017)
0.08406
2017225
(-19 from 2016)
1696
(-243 from 2016)
0.08569
2016206
(-7 from 2015)
1939
(-91 from 2015)
0.09572
2015199
(+2 from 2014)
2030
(+23 from 2014)
0.09929
2014201
(-3 from 2013)
2007
(-31 from 2013)
0.09794
2013198
(-8 from 2012)
2038
(+82 from 2012)
0.10086
2012190
(-4 from 2011)
1956
(-121 from 2011)
0.09639
2011186
(-9 from 2010)
2077
(-52 from 2010)
0.10224
2010177
(-17 from 2009)
2129
(-299 from 2009)
0.10363
2009160
(-6 from 2008)
2428
(-126 from 2008)
0.11448
2008154
(-7 from 2007)
2554
(-217 from 2007)
0.11713
2007147
(-15 from 2006)
2771
(-264 from 2006)
0.12510
2006132
(-2 from 2005)
3035
(-107 from 2005)
0.13843
2005130
(-3 from 2004)
3142
(-45 from 2004)
0.14770
2004127
(-4 from 2003)
3187
(-65 from 2003)
0.15080
2003123
(-5 from 2002)
3252
(-11 from 2002)
0.15477
2002118
(-9 from 2001)
3263
(-260 from 2001)
0.15789
2001109
(-9 from 2000)
3523
(-272 from 2000)
0.17032
2000100
(-6 from 1999)
3795
(-225 from 1999)
0.18172
199994
(-5 from 1998)
4020
(-301 from 1998)
0.19716
199889
(-10 from 1997)
4321
(-431 from 1997)
0.21310
199779
(-1 from 1996)
4752
(-130 from 1996)
0.23786
199678
(-7 from 1995)
4882
(-531 from 1995)
0.24365
199571
(-7 from 1994)
5413
(-384 from 1994)
0.26912
199464
(-8 from 1993)
5797
(-684 from 1993)
0.28440
199356
(-1 from 1992)
6481
(-521 from 1992)
0.31377
199255
(-2 from 1991)
7002
(-676 from 1991)
0.33356
199153
(-4 from 1990)
7678
(-902 from 1990)
0.36222
199049
No change from 1989
8580
(-449 from 1989)
0.39869
198949
(-3 from 1988)
9029
(-406 from 1988)
0.43078
198846
No change from 1987
9435
(-273 from 1987)
0.47122
198746
(-1 from 1986)
9708
(-9 from 1986)
0.49779
198645
(-3 from 1985)
9717
(-598 from 1985)
0.50565
198542
(-2 from 1984)
10315
(-146 from 1984)
0.53601
198440
(-1 from 1983)
10461
(-368 from 1983)
0.55741
198339
(-4 from 1982)
10829
(-481 from 1982)
0.58108
198235
No change from 1981
11310
(-468 from 1981)
0.59931
198135
No change from 1980
11778
(-43 from 1980)
0.63242
198035
(-1 from 1979)
11821
(+189 from 1979)
0.63733
197934
(-1 from 1978)
11632
(-101 from 1978)
0.64935
197833
(-2 from 1977)
11733
(-67 from 1977)
0.68670
197731
(-3 from 1976)
11800
(+17 from 1976)
0.69032
197628
(+1 from 1975)
11783
(-233 from 1975)
0.72174
197529
(-2 from 1974)
12016
(-298 from 1974)
0.74063
197427
(-3 from 1973)
12314
(-589 from 1973)
0.75534
197324
No change from 1972
12903
(-1657 from 1972)
0.79962
197224
No change from 1971
14560
(-2907 from 1971)
0.86975
197124
(-1 from 1970)
17467
(-2731 from 1970)
0.96085
197023
(-1 from 1969)
20198
(-492 from 1969)
1.06039
196922
(-3 from 1968)
20690
(-1177 from 1968)
1.13112
196819
(-1 from 1967)
21867
(-960 from 1967)
1.23164
196718
No change from 1966
22827
(-750 from 1966)
1.28283
196618
(-2 from 1965)
23577
(-1341 from 1965)
1.29713
196516
No change from 1964
24918
(-1962 from 1964)
1.31521
196416
(+1 from 1963)
26880
(+206 from 1963)
1.32607
196317
(+2 from 1962)
26674
(+2871 from 1962)
1.29195
196219
(-1 from 1961)
23803
(-1834 from 1961)
1.13257
196118
No change from 1960
25637
(+1 from 1960)
1.18855
196018
(-1 from 1959)
25636
(-60 from 1959)
1.18392
195917
(-2 from 1958)
25696
(-563 from 1958)
1.18607
195815
(+3 from 1957)
26259
(-751 from 1957)
1.21859
195718
(-1 from 1956)
27010
(+114 from 1956)
1.23395
195617
(-1 from 1955)
26896
(+199 from 1955)
1.25317
195516
No change from 1954
26697
(+475 from 1954)
1.27721
195416
No change from 1953
26222
(+714 from 1953)
1.26729
195316
(+3 from 1952)
25508
(+1215 from 1952)
1.27399
195219
(-1 from 1951)
24293
(+1441 from 1951)
1.23109
195118
No change from 1950
22852
(+1109 from 1950)
1.19539
195018
(-1 from 1949)
21743
(+157 from 1949)
1.19545
194917
(+1 from 1948)
21586
(+336 from 1948)
1.19789
194818
No change from 1947
21250
(-1542 from 1947)
1.19198
194718
No change from 1946
22792
(+1729 from 1946)
1.22697
194618
(-1 from 1945)
21063
(+4068 from 1945)
1.27624
194517
No change from 1944
16995
(+338 from 1944)
1.23920
194417
(+2 from 1943)
16657
(-593 from 1943)
1.19907
194319
No change from 1942
17250
(+759 from 1942)
1.18588
194219
(-1 from 1941)
16491
(+1324 from 1941)
1.17099
194118
(-1 from 1940)
15167
(+1070 from 1940)
1.20866
194017
No change from 1939
14097
(+761 from 1939)
1.18845
193917
(-2 from 1938)
13336
(-25 from 1938)
1.17674
193815
No change from 1937
13361
(+479 from 1937)
1.17564
193715
No change from 1936
12882
(+577 from 1936)
1.17790
193615
(-1 from 1935)
12305
(-256 from 1935)
1.15616
193514
No change from 1934
12561
(+365 from 1934)
1.17437
193414
No change from 1933
12196
(+343 from 1933)
1.14847
193314
(-1 from 1932)
11853
(-215 from 1932)
1.16184
193213
(-1 from 1931)
12068
(-185 from 1931)
1.12320
193112
No change from 1930
12253
(-701 from 1930)
1.14538
193012
(+1 from 1929)
12954
(+522 from 1929)
1.14687
192913
No change from 1928
12432
(-728 from 1928)
1.12242
192813
No change from 1927
13160
(-445 from 1927)
1.15321
192713
No change from 1926
13605
(-48 from 1926)
1.17091
192613
No change from 1925
13653
(-521 from 1925)
1.19194
192513
(+1 from 1924)
14174
(+835 from 1924)
1.23100
192414
No change from 1923
13339
(-23 from 1923)
1.14103
192314
No change from 1922
13362
(+439 from 1922)
1.18010
192214
No change from 1921
12923
(-245 from 1921)
1.14851
192114
No change from 1920
13168
(+598 from 1920)
1.15719
192014
(+1 from 1919)
12570
(+1265 from 1919)
1.14192
191915
(-1 from 1918)
11305
(-450 from 1918)
1.11344
191814
(-1 from 1917)
11755
(+599 from 1917)
1.12096
191713
(-1 from 1916)
11156
(+366 from 1916)
1.16292
191612
(+1 from 1915)
10790
(+462 from 1915)
1.16871
191513
No change from 1914
10328
(+2595 from 1914)
1.17240
191413
(+1 from 1913)
7733
(+1767 from 1913)
1.13168
191314
No change from 1912
5966
(+1181 from 1912)
1.11255
191214
(+3 from 1911)
4785
(+2392 from 1911)
1.05990
191117
(-2 from 1910)
2393
(+388 from 1910)
0.99132
191015
(+2 from 1909)
2005
(+329 from 1909)
0.96156
190917
(+1 from 1908)
1676
(+198 from 1908)
0.94763
190818
(+2 from 1907)
1478
(+120 from 1907)
0.88840
190720
(-1 from 1906)
1358
(+50 from 1906)
0.85633
190619
No change from 1905
1308
(+46 from 1905)
0.90792
190519
No change from 1904
1262
(+68 from 1904)
0.88108
190419
No change from 1903
1194
(+113 from 1903)
0.86208
190319
(+1 from 1902)
1081
(+14 from 1902)
0.83590
190220
(-1 from 1901)
1067
(+143 from 1901)
0.80377
190119
No change from 1900
924
(-364 from 1900)
0.79936
190019
(+2 from 1899)
1288
(+403 from 1899)
0.79445
189921
No change from 1898
885
(-106 from 1898)
0.76827
189821
(-1 from 1897)
991
(+68 from 1897)
0.75019
189720
No change from 1896
923
(-41 from 1896)
0.75692
189620
No change from 1895
964
(+31 from 1895)
0.74688
189520
(+3 from 1894)
933
(+109 from 1894)
0.73672
189423
(+2 from 1893)
824
(+81 from 1893)
0.65977
189325
(+4 from 1892)
743
(-4 from 1892)
0.61384
189229
(+2 from 1891)
747
(+183 from 1891)
0.56827
189131
No change from 1890
564
(-43 from 1890)
0.51618
189031
(+4 from 1889)
607
(+52 from 1889)
0.50710
188935
(+3 from 1888)
555
(+26 from 1888)
0.46626
188838
(+2 from 1887)
529
(+80 from 1887)
0.40721
188740
(-2 from 1886)
449
(-17 from 1886)
0.41075
188638
(+5 from 1885)
466
(+38 from 1885)
0.39146
188543
(+2 from 1884)
428
(+6 from 1884)
0.36914
188445
(+3 from 1883)
422
(+64 from 1883)
0.34382
188348
(-4 from 1882)
358
(-39 from 1882)
0.31829
188244
(+11 from 1881)
397
(+106 from 1881)
0.32533
188155
(+5 from 1880)
291
(-10 from 1880)
0.26876
188060
First SSA data recorded
301
First SSA data recorded
0.25423

American States Popularity Rankings for Paul

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2322021#2522022#2822023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1922021#2202022#2122023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2882021#2682022#2732023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1912021#2632022#2412023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1682021#1832022#2652023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2862021#2612022#2962023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2722021#2852022#2712023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2372021#2362022#2002023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#3082021#3372022#2182023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2192021#2282022#2992023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2492021#2982022#2682023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2892021#2652022#2582023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2572021#2362022#2672023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4792021#2542022#2902023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2492021#3272022#2302023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2762021#3632022#2422023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2662021#2612022#3142023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2422021#2282022#1872023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2052021#1682022#1842023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1842021#2732022#2482023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3232021#3062022#2362023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3202021#3032022#2852023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3932021#3372022#2712023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2972020#2842021#3722023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2422021#2412022#3582023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3852021#3482022#3612023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4692021#2642022#2462023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2812021#2982022#1962023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2882021#2712022#2702023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2462021#3422022#3742023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4282021#2942022#2882023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2942020#3172022#3642023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3822021#2462022#2382023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2162017#1862019#1382023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1552018#2502019#2242022

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3652021#3772022#2852023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3042021#2742022#4252023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2732021#2412022#2842023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1962020#1802021#1882023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2862021#3052022#2242023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1832018#2002020#2222023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2572020#1062021#2382023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2122018#1592020#2032021

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#3062017#2812018#1852020

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1942021#1652022#1542023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2232020#1562021#3962022

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1172010#1492014#1362019

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#682018#1702020#2412022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3302021#3062022#4192023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1512021#1242022#1952023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1342007#1682008#1752013

Popularity Rankings for Paul in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#52020#12021#32022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#62021#72022#52023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#152020#182021#212022

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#542020#342021#272022

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#882012#572014#452015

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#652020#682021#742022

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#721995#861997#861998

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#902020#882021#882022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1552019#1682021#2002022

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1692000#1562001#1972003

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1572021#2052022#2192023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2002021#3522022#2492023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2332021#2092022#2782023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#4122011#2432014#4692015

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#2542021#3752022#4512023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3292021#2942022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3472021#3602022#3092023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3202021#4672022#3352023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4292018#3222019#4592022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3642019#3842020#4892021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#5042022#5302023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Paul a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Paul is most often assigned to boys, partly because of its significant presence in historical and religious texts as a male name.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Paul

  • Paulie
  • Pauly
  • P
  • Pau
  • Pasha
  • Pol
  • Polly
  • Paulo
  • Paule
  • Pali
  • Caspian
  • Quill
  • Zephyr
  • Alaric
  • Oberon
  • Fenris

Paul in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Paul McCartney (Musician, born 1942): An English musician and songwriter who gained worldwide fame as a member of The Beatles.
  • Paul Newman (Actor, 1925–2008): An American actor and director celebrated for his roles in classic films like "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Hustler."
  • Paul Rudd (Actor, born 1969): An American actor and comedian known for his roles in "Clueless" and "Ant-Man."
  • Paul Walker (Actor, 1973–2013): An American actor best remembered for his role in the "Fast & Furious" franchise.
  • Paul Simon (Musician, born 1941): An American singer-songwriter famous for his work as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel.
  • Paul Gauguin (Artist, 1848–1903): A French post-impressionist artist whose work influenced the Symbolist movement.
  • Paul Allen (Entrepreneur, 1953–2018): An American entrepreneur who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates.
  • Paul Atreides ("Dune," 1965 Novel): The young noble heir who becomes the leader of a rebellion on the desert planet Arrakis.
  • "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (2009 Film): A comedy about a bumbling mall security guard who takes on a gang of thieves.
  • Paul McCartney ("Yesterday," 2019 Film): A Beatles-inspired fantasy film where only one person remembers the band's existence.
  • Paul Edgecomb ("The Green Mile," 1999 Film): A corrections officer in a death row facility who encounters supernatural events.
  • "Paul" (2011 Film): A comedy about two geeks who encounter an alien named Paul on a road trip.
  • Paul Hennessy ("8 Simple Rules," 2002 TV Series): The loving but strict father of three teenagers.
  • "Paul" (2004 Novel by Michel Rabagliati): A graphic novel series about the life and experiences of a young man named Paul.
  • Paul Sheldon ("Misery," 1987 Novel by Stephen King): An author who is held captive by a fan after a car accident.
  • Paul Rudd ("Friends," 1994 TV Series): Plays Mike Hannigan, Phoebe Buffay's love interest and later husband.
  • St. Paul City (Minnesota, USA): The capital city of Minnesota, situated along the Mississippi River.
  • Paul Lake Provincial Park (British Columbia, Canada): A park featuring a beautiful lake, camping sites, and hiking trails.
  • St. Paul Island (Alaska, USA): An island in the Bering Sea, part of the Pribilof Islands group.
  • Paul Smith's College (New York, USA): A private college located in the Adirondack Park.
  • St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England): An iconic Anglican cathedral in central London.
  • Paul River (Southland, New Zealand): A river flowing through the Southland region, popular for fishing.

Similar Names to Paul