N
NamyLab

Paul

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Small; Humble"

From Latin Paulus meaning small, it became central in Christian naming due to the apostle Paul and missionary tradition.

Themes:smallhumbleapostlelatin
BiblicalClassicTraditionalTimeless

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Paul

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#264Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#264

Paul was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-8

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Paul Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Paul.

9 ideas
Pauly
Nickname
paul
Nickname
pa
Nickname
paulie
Nickname
pauly
Nickname
paulo
Nickname
pauy
Nickname
pie
Nickname
py
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Paul

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Paul, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

21 linked lists

Famous Pauls

  • P
    Paul McCartney
    English musician and co-founder of The Beatles
  • S
    Saint Paul (Bible)
    Apostle to the Gentiles and author of much of the New Testament
  • P
    Paul Newman
    American actor, filmmaker and philanthropist

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Paul mean?
Paul means "Small; Humble". From Latin Paulus meaning small, it became central in Christian naming due to the apostle Paul and missionary tradition.
What is the origin of Paul?
Paul is of Latin origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Paul?
According to the latest SSA data, Paul is currently ranked #264 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Paul a boy name?
Paul is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Paul?
Popular nicknames for Paul include Pauly, paul, pa, paulie, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Paul?
There are many names similar to Paul in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginLatin, English
Syllables1
Length4 letters
US Rank#264
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withP

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Paul

Paul has Latin roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Latin baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Paul appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Timeless Classic Baby Names and Biblical Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Latin Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Paul pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Paul beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.