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Paul as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Paul

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The baby name Paul is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /pɔːl/ (UK), /pɑl/ (US); respelling: PAWL.

Paul is Latin in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 1.0
Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: IPA: /pɔːl/ (UK), /pɑl/ (US); respelling: PAWL

What is the meaning of the name Paul ?

The baby name Paul is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /pɔːl/ (UK), /pɑl/ (US); respelling: PAWL.

Paul is Latin in Origin.

Paul comes from the Latin cognomen Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble.” The name gained enduring prominence through the Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus), whose missionary work and epistles anchored early Christian theology, ensuring its spread across Europe. It appears in late Roman records, persisted through the Middle Ages, and was borne by many saints and several popes, reinforcing its prestige. In English it settled as a steady classic after the Reformation; in the United States it peaked mid-20th century and now reads as traditional yet understated.

Variants are widespread: Italian Paolo; Spanish Pablo; Portuguese Paulo; French and German Paul; Catalan Pau; Romanian Paul; Russian Pavel (dim. Pasha); Polish Paweł; Czech/Slovak Pavel, Pavol; Hungarian Pál; Danish Poul; Norwegian Pål; Finnish Paavo and Pauli; Irish Pól; Scottish Gaelic Pòl; Icelandic Páll. Diminutives include Paulie/Pauly. Feminine and related forms: Paula, Pauline, Paulina, Paulette, Paola, Pavla.

Paul has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Paul

Paul McCartney Actor|musician · Born 1942 · United Kingdom Paul McCartney, a musician from the United Kingdom, gained fame as a member of The Beatles. He is known for writing and performing songs like 'Hey Jude', 'Let It Be', and 'Yesterday'. Born in 1942, he continues to influence music with his solo work and collaborations. Pol Pot Politician · Born 1925 · Cambodia Pol Pot was a Cambodian politician best known for leading the Khmer Rouge, a regime responsible for the Cambodian genocide during the late 1970s. As the Prime Minister of Democratic Kampuchea, he implemented radical policies that led to the deaths of an estimated two million people. His rule is remembered for its brutality and the devastating impact on Cambodia's population and culture. Paul Newman Actor · Born 1925 · United States Paul Newman was best known as a legendary American movie star, and he was also a filmmaker, racecar driver, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He starred in famous films like Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Sting, and is often remembered as one of the last great movie stars of the 20th century.
Paul von Hindenburg Politician · Born 1847 · Germany Paul von Hindenburg was a German military leader best known for commanding the Imperial German Army during World War I and later serving as President of Germany from 1925 until 1934. Although he opposed Nazism in some respects, he played a crucial role in Hitler’s rise by appointing Adolf Hitler chancellor in 1933. Paul Walker Actor · Born 1973 · United States Paul Walker was an American actor best known for playing Brian O'Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise. He starred in films like The Fast and the Furious and 2 Fast 2 Furious. Paul Kagame Politician · Born 1957 · Rwanda Paul Kagame is best known as the President of Rwanda, a position he has held since 2000. A former military officer and politician, he was widely seen as Rwanda’s de facto leader from 1994 to 2000 while serving as vice president and minister of defence under President Pasteur Bizimungu.

Celebrity babies named Paul

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Paul Richard Polanski Sharon Tate model Roman Polanski film director
Paul Belmondo Jean-Paul Belmondo film producer
Paul Inder Kilmister Lemmy singer
Paul Dalglish Kenny Dalglish association footballer
Paul Jarvis Moya Brennan singer

Paul – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2025 #1 836
Germany Boys 2025 #1 423
Austria Boys 2024 #2 659 60
FJ 0 #4 3 374
HT 0 #4 11 399
MT 0 #4 52 1,767
MT Boys 0 #4 711 4,064
NL 0 #6 1,117 2,481
CM 0 #7 57 2,592
KR 0 #8 1 201
CM Boys 0 #9 4,223 12,054
BF 0 #10 1 188
NL Boys 0 #11 16,884 5,873
BI 0 #12 1 425
FJ Boys 0 #13 5 603
HT Boys 0 #14 21 903
ZA 0 #15 947 14,421
LU 0 #16 57 2,830
BF Boys 0 #17 12 439
HT Girls 0 #17 7 950
JM 0 #17 82 3,714
JM Boys 0 #17 1,003 6,876
France Boys 2021 #18 2,291 2,865
PH 0 #18 84 5,607
PH Boys 0 #18 974 11,440
BW 0 #19 1 960
MV 0 #19 1 644
NA 0 #19 15 2,537
KR Boys 0 #20 8 897
ZA Boys 0 #21 13,302 25,619
NG Boys 0 #23 15,399 16,906
NG 0 #26 411 5,926
BN 0 #27 6 2,297
ET Boys 0 #27 1 678
BI Boys 0 #28 16 917
GH Boys 0 #30 1,887 8,138
TW Boys 0 #30 499 7,111
LU Boys 0 #31 407 4,970
EE 0 #32 6 1,051
ID 0 #34 6 2,238
MD 0 #34 1 434
MO 0 #34 19 2,706
HK Boys 0 #35 3,754 12,905
QA 0 #35 70 7,011
CN 0 #36 50 3,857
DJ Boys 0 #36 1 657
TW 0 #37 67 4,523
CN Boys 0 #41 650 9,639
BW Boys 0 #42 136 4,685
JP 0 #43 35 4,057
NA Boys 0 #43 306 6,830
AE 0 #44 150 10,220
CY Boys 0 #44 121 3,473
MO Boys 0 #47 287 5,842
CY 0 #48 12 1,632
GH 0 #48 307 5,396
EC Boys 0 #51 520 3,322
HN Boys 0 #51 2 749
NL Boys 2014 #52 17 79
PR 0 #54 2 1,497
Switzerland Boys 2024 #55 94 1,769
OM 0 #56 63 6,215
Austria Boys 0 #57 2,115 2,180
HK 0 #58 509 8,483
SG Boys 0 #62 2,076 17,960
MV Boys 0 #63 15 3,375
SG 0 #64 271 11,010
BN Boys 0 #66 69 6,332
Germany Boys 0 #68 9,361 5,697
IN 0 #68 4 2,963
AO 0 #71 7 2,729
AF 0 #75 2 1,883
EC 0 #75 41 2,502
MD Boys 0 #76 6 756
EE Boys 0 #77 54 2,087
BG 0 #80 3 1,799
LT 0 #85 4 949
PE Boys 0 #87 7,753 14,506
CR 0 #89 70 5,526
KW 0 #89 28 5,216
KZ 0 #94 1 1,452
SD 0 #95 8 2,130
ID Boys 0 #98 34 4,130
Austria 0 #100 139 850
GR Boys 0 #103 220 6,912
GR 0 #105 30 3,911
PE 0 #105 273 6,350
HU 0 #107 9 1,675
GE Boys 0 #110 1 2,055
PA 0 #113 18 3,797
Germany 0 #118 532 2,542
Belgium Boys 2024 #126 63 401
LT Boys 0 #126 25 2,166
MU 0 #126 11 3,613
MY Boys 0 #126 3,079 25,439
RU Boys 0 #126 1,067 12,621
Norway Boys 2024 #128 9 437
AZ Boys 0 #128 4 1,400
IQ 0 #129 5 3,533
HU Boys 0 #135 41 3,954
DK Boys 0 #138 267 7,401
MY 0 #138 212 12,352
Canada Boys 2024 #141 192 2,588
EE Girls 0 #142 1 1,888
RU 0 #143 47 3,641
MT Girls 0 #145 9 3,773
PR Boys 0 #145 30 2,508
CZ 0 #149 37 3,154
BW Girls 0 #150 2 4,216
CR Boys 0 #150 686 10,188
CZ Boys 0 #150 210 6,530
RS Boys 0 #151 4 2,277
JP Boys 0 #158 152 7,909
LB 0 #158 1,005 13,263
BO Boys 0 #162 1,177 9,244
DK 0 #162 42 5,198
AR 0 #168 19 2,915
MU Boys 0 #169 221 8,477
SA 0 #171 126 10,560
Sweden Boys 2022 #172 11 1,509
PL Boys 0 #174 214 6,459
UY 0 #174 9 2,477
SI Girls 0 #177 1 2,769
HR 0 #179 3 2,081
QA Boys 0 #180 846 18,093
LU Girls 0 #189 2 4,850
AO Boys 0 #190 53 5,568
CL Boys 0 #190 1,915 13,390
Spain Boys 0 #190 2,634 5,610
PL 0 #191 22 2,600
PS 0 #191 28 5,692
PT Boys 0 #194 211 7,951
IR 0 #195 35 4,221
MX Boys 0 #195 3,530 16,355
SI Boys 0 #198 12 3,402
BG Boys 0 #200 20 3,850
Finland Boys 0 #206 285 2,041
UY Boys 0 #207 301 5,922
BD 0 #208 20 5,992
Finland Boys 2026 #209 1,741 3,552
HR Boys 0 #213 46 3,997
PA Boys 0 #213 390 9,305
HU Girls 0 #224 2 3,308
PT 0 #228 19 4,161
IL 0 #229 46 6,291
KZ Boys 0 #230 60 6,578
NA Girls 0 #230 8 7,146
IT Boys 0 #239 6,315 10,046
Spain 0 #241 249 2,326
JM Girls 0 #244 16 7,507
United States Boys 2024 #245 1,320 7,044
GR Girls 0 #247 3 6,293
BO 0 #248 135 6,868
JP Girls 0 #249 3 6,592
EC Girls 0 #256 3 3,650
SD Boys 0 #256 210 10,523
MO Girls 0 #258 6 7,056
CL 0 #262 167 6,867
MX 0 #266 153 8,339
Finland 0 #268 40 830
AF Boys 0 #270 5 3,535
AE Boys 0 #277 1,703 22,615
AR Boys 0 #278 248 7,628
TW Girls 0 #284 6 8,139
GH Girls 0 #286 39 6,973
AL Boys 0 #288 11 5,122
BH 0 #294 279 17,937
GT 0 #296 19 5,948
Canada Girls 1992 #308 6 2,320
CO Boys 0 #311 1,366 15,656
KW Boys 0 #321 574 18,755
OM Boys 0 #325 823 17,948
DK Girls 0 #328 2 7,429
IL Boys 0 #330 327 10,983
KZ Girls 0 #332 1 5,862
PS Boys 0 #332 239 10,655
NG Girls 0 #335 711 15,093
QA Girls 0 #337 7 15,378
MU Girls 0 #338 14 8,539
PL Girls 0 #341 14 5,096
CZ Girls 0 #351 1 5,378
JO Boys 0 #352 26 7,057
CN Girls 0 #355 5 8,829
GT Boys 0 #356 119 7,625
BR 0 #357 4 5,969
SD Girls 0 #357 2 7,678
BD Girls 0 #360 27 8,413
CO 0 #363 119 7,768
EG 0 #366 35 6,387
YE 0 #366 16 8,639
IR Boys 0 #369 202 10,162
PH Girls 0 #369 22 13,098
OM Girls 0 #377 20 15,987
France Girls 2000 #389 3 2,593
BD Boys 0 #394 196 10,045
IT 0 #397 404 4,183
CM Girls 0 #402 141 11,671
Austria Girls 0 #405 16 1,885
LY 0 #405 133 12,703
PT Girls 0 #469 3 7,952
RU Girls 0 #479 20 11,913
KW Girls 0 #486 30 19,177
PA Girls 0 #516 3 9,861
IQ Girls 0 #524 2 11,303
AE Girls 0 #533 21 20,968
UY Girls 0 #533 4 6,731
GT Girls 0 #540 2 7,500
IR Girls 0 #544 2 8,334
PS Girls 0 #545 3 10,981
SA Boys 0 #554 1,925 28,008
SG Girls 0 #556 31 18,916
HK Girls 0 #565 51 16,104
CR Girls 0 #572 2 11,342
IQ Boys 0 #596 72 13,071
TN 0 #596 252 13,765
BR Boys 0 #601 152 12,213
IN Girls 0 #605 27 13,121
IN Boys 0 #616 416 16,750
EG Boys 0 #624 273 15,035
AR Girls 0 #626 5 8,289
IL Girls 0 #639 7 11,648
BO Girls 0 #643 9 9,488
SY 0 #665 64 11,684
Germany Girls 0 #742 97 4,949
DZ 0 #742 466 20,130
MA 0 #792 346 20,986
CL Girls 0 #795 57 14,098
ZA Girls 0 #869 273 25,928
SA Girls 0 #877 59 25,931
PE Girls 0 #889 55 14,861
NL Girls 0 #894 62 5,933
United States Girls 2006 #937 6 10,031
Spain Girls 0 #943 41 5,561
MY Girls 0 #946 49 24,821
EG Girls 0 #950 10 14,742
BR Girls 0 #988 5 12,708
TR 0 #997 215 19,440
CO Girls 0 #1,049 30 16,140
MX Girls 0 #1,139 45 17,781
IT Girls 0 #1,356 91 9,415

Paul is popular in 99 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Norway
Ireland
NL
Scotland, United Kingdom

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People also ask about Paul

Paul is predominantly a boy's name.
Paul is a one syllable name, pronounced IPA: /pɔːl/ (UK), /pɑl/ (US); respelling: PAWL.
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Paulus, Pavel, Pablo, Paolo, Paulo and Pál.
Yes, very popular — Paul ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 13 countries.
Paul ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Paul's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2015 to #1 in 2025 in Ireland.
Yes — 31 notable people named Paul are in our database, including Paul McCartney (Actor|musician), Pol Pot (Politician), Paul Newman (Actor).
Yes — at least 5 celebrity couples have chosen Paul for their child, including Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski.