Paul Boy

Popularity: #250 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAWL //pɔːl//

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: Latin: small; humble; Greek: small

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Paul has its roots in the Latin name "Paulus," which means "small" or "humble." This name was derived from the Roman family name "Paulus," which was used in ancient Rome. The transition of the name into English occurred through the Old French form "Paule," which was adopted after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

The Latin influence was significant in the development of early Christian names, as Latin was the language of the Roman Empire and the early Church, facilitating the spread of Christian texts and names throughout Europe. Historically, the name Paul is most notably associated with Saint Paul the Apostle, a key figure in early Christianity who lived in the 1st century CE.

His epistles, which form a substantial part of the New Testament, were instrumental in the spread of Christian doctrine. The name gained prominence in Christian communities, particularly during the Middle Ages, as the veneration of saints became widespread.

The name was further popularized through various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version in the early 17th century, which helped solidify its usage in English-speaking regions. Culturally, the name Paul has been associated with humility and service, reflecting its etymological meaning.

It has been borne by numerous saints, scholars, and notable historical figures throughout the centuries, contributing to its enduring legacy. The diminutive form "Pau" has also been used in various cultures, although the name Paul itself remains the most recognized form.

Overall, the name Paul carries significant historical and cultural weight, symbolizing both religious devotion and personal humility.

Famous people named Paul

In this section, you will find notable people named Paul. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Paul who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Paul who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Paul McCartney is a musician best known for being a member of The Beatles, Wings, and his solo career.

Paul Rudd is an actor best known for Ant-Man, Clueless, and This Is 40.

Paul Simon is a musician best known for being half of Simon & Garfunkel, as well as for his solo work including Graceland.

Paul Bettany is an actor best known for A Beautiful Mind, Master and Commander, and his role as Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Paul Giamatti is an actor best known for Sideways, Cinderella Man, and Barney's Version.

Paul Verhoeven is a director best known for RoboCop, Basic Instinct, and Starship Troopers.

Paul Thomas Anderson is a director best known for There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia.

Paul Dano is an actor best known for Little Miss Sunshine, Prisoners, and There Will Be Blood.

Paul Feig is a director and producer best known for Bridesmaids, Spy, and Ghostbusters (2016).

Paul Anka is a singer and songwriter best known for Diana, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, and My Way.

Paul Weller is a musician best known for being the frontman of The Jam and The Style Council, as well as his solo career.

Paul George is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers.

Paul Pierce is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Boston Celtics and winning an NBA Championship.

Paul O'Grady is a television presenter and comedian best known for his work on The Paul O'Grady Show and For the Love of Dogs.

Paul Wesley is an actor best known for his role as Stefan Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries.

Paul Sorvino is an actor best known for Goodfellas, Romeo + Juliet, and Law & Order.

Paul McGann is an actor best known for his role as the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who and for Withnail and I.

Paul Weller is a musician best known for his work with The Jam and The Style Council.

Paul Haggis is a filmmaker best known for writing and directing Crash and Million Dollar Baby.

Paul Klee is an artist best known for his contributions to modern art and his unique painting style.

Paul Auster is an author best known for The New York Trilogy, Moon Palace, and The Music of Chance.

Paul Theroux is an author best known for The Great Railway Bazaar and The Mosquito Coast.

Paul Simonon is a musician best known for being the bassist of The Clash.

Paul R. Ehrlich is a biologist best known for his work in population studies and environmental science.

Paul Allen was a businessman and philanthropist best known for co-founding Microsoft and his investments in technology and sports.

Paul G. Allen was a philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, known for his contributions to technology and science.

Fictional characters named Paul

The following list of fictional characters named Paul is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Paul Atreides is a fictional character from the science fiction novel Dune. He is the heir of House Atreides and becomes a central figure in the struggle for control of the desert planet Arrakis.

Paul Blart is a fictional character from the film Paul Blart: Mall Cop. He is a bumbling mall security guard who aspires to be a hero while protecting his mall from criminals.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Paul, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

PeterMarkMatthewJamesJohnLuke

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Paul. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

PavelPaigePaxtonPaulaPiperParkerPalmer

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Paul was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Paul has ranked as high as #29 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, and Massachusetts.

In the past 5 years the name Paul has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Paul is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Paul was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Paul.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,316 1,316 0
2024 1,330 1,330 0
2023 1,359 1,359 0
2022 1,334 1,334 0
2021 1,385 1,385 0
2020 1,401 1,401 0
2019 1,513 1,513 0
2018 1,635 1,635 0
2017 1,699 1,699 0
2016 1,941 1,941 0
2015 2,032 2,032 0
2014 2,007 2,007 0
2013 2,038 2,038 0
2012 1,958 1,958 0
2011 2,078 2,078 0
2010 2,129 2,129 0
2009 2,428 2,428 0
2008 2,555 2,555 0
2007 2,771 2,771 0
2006 3,043 3,037 6
2005 3,150 3,145 5
2004 3,200 3,191 9
2003 3,263 3,256 7
2002 3,263 3,263 0
2001 3,530 3,523 7
2000 3,804 3,795 9
1999 4,026 4,020 6
1998 4,332 4,321 11
1997 4,766 4,752 14
1996 4,896 4,883 13
1995 5,426 5,414 12
1994 5,808 5,798 10
1993 6,490 6,481 9
1992 7,018 7,003 15
1991 7,705 7,680 25
1990 8,610 8,579 31
1989 9,072 9,029 43
1988 9,515 9,438 77
1987 9,771 9,707 64
1986 9,783 9,715 68
1985 10,389 10,315 74
1984 10,541 10,460 81
1983 10,912 10,828 84
1982 11,381 11,310 71
1981 11,851 11,776 75
1980 11,890 11,819 71
1979 11,704 11,630 74
1978 11,810 11,733 77
1977 11,874 11,798 76
1976 11,858 11,781 77
1975 12,095 12,017 78
1974 12,408 12,310 98
1973 12,978 12,901 77
1972 14,626 14,555 71
1971 17,564 17,469 95
1970 20,288 20,196 92
1969 20,811 20,690 121
1968 21,981 21,865 116
1967 22,908 22,821 87
1966 23,675 23,578 97
1965 25,010 24,919 91
1964 26,970 26,874 96
1963 26,751 26,672 79
1962 23,877 23,802 75
1961 25,713 25,640 73
1960 25,723 25,642 81
1959 25,787 25,712 75
1958 26,342 26,264 78
1957 27,076 27,012 64
1956 26,966 26,897 69
1955 26,765 26,701 64
1954 26,270 26,220 50
1953 25,559 25,509 50
1952 24,352 24,292 60
1951 22,903 22,853 50
1950 21,797 21,742 55
1949 21,646 21,589 57
1948 21,312 21,252 60
1947 22,859 22,796 63
1946 21,129 21,063 66
1945 17,032 16,995 37
1944 16,706 16,661 45
1943 17,300 17,253 47
1942 16,539 16,492 47
1941 15,229 15,166 63
1940 14,150 14,097 53
1939 13,384 13,337 47
1938 13,395 13,360 35
1937 12,925 12,881 44
1936 12,360 12,307 53
1935 12,622 12,563 59
1934 12,254 12,196 58
1933 11,905 11,854 51
1932 12,145 12,066 79
1931 12,346 12,255 91
1930 13,069 12,955 114
1929 12,522 12,431 91
1928 13,283 13,160 123
1927 13,706 13,604 102
1926 13,739 13,653 86
1925 14,256 14,175 81
1924 13,416 13,338 78
1923 13,438 13,362 76
1922 13,003 12,922 81
1921 13,229 13,169 60
1920 12,645 12,570 75
1919 11,364 11,305 59
1918 11,825 11,755 70
1917 11,218 11,156 62
1916 10,840 10,790 50
1915 10,372 10,328 44
1914 7,776 7,733 43
1913 5,997 5,966 31
1912 4,812 4,785 27
1911 2,408 2,393 15
1910 2,014 2,005 9
1909 1,689 1,676 13
1908 1,487 1,478 9
1907 1,371 1,358 13
1906 1,316 1,308 8
1905 1,268 1,262 6
1904 1,202 1,194 8
1903 1,089 1,081 8
1902 1,080 1,067 13
1901 930 924 6
1900 1,297 1,288 9
1899 891 885 6
1898 1,000 991 9
1897 928 923 5
1896 970 964 6
1895 941 933 8
1894 829 824 5
1893 751 743 8
1892 752 747 5
1891 564 564 0
1890 612 607 5
1889 555 555 0
1888 529 529 0
1887 449 449 0
1886 472 466 6
1885 434 428 6
1884 427 422 5
1883 358 358 0
1882 397 397 0
1881 291 291 0
1880 301 301 0

Top States for Paul (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 137
11%
CA 121
9%
NY 84
6%
FL 79
6%
PA 70
5%
IL 46
4%
OH 46
4%
MI 45
3%
NJ 41
3%
NC 40
3%
GA 39
3%
TN 37
3%
WA 35
3%
AZ 33
3%
MO 30
2%
VA 30
2%
IN 27
2%
MA 26
2%
MN 24
2%
WI 23
2%
SC 23
2%
MD 22
2%
UT 19
1%
LA 19
1%
KY 18
1%
CO 18
1%
IA 17
1%
KS 17
1%
AL 16
1%
AR 16
1%
CT 15
1%
OK 14
1%
OR 11
1%
NV 10
1%
NM 8
1%
ID 7
1%
ME 7
1%
AK 6
0%
MT 6
0%
RI 6
0%
SD 5
0%