Pavel Boy

Popularity: #901 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAH-vel /ˈpɑː.vɛl/

Origin: Slavic; Latin

Meaning: Latin: small; Slavic: humble

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Pavel is of Slavic origin, derived from the Latin name Paulus, which means "small" or "humble." The transition from Latin to Slavic languages occurred as the Roman Empire expanded and influenced various regions, particularly during the early Middle Ages. The name Paulus was adopted into Old Church Slavonic as Pavel, which then spread throughout Slavic-speaking countries, including Russia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, as Christianity took root in these areas during the 9th century.

Historically, the name Pavel has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Paul the Apostle, a key figure in early Christianity whose teachings and letters significantly shaped Christian doctrine. His influence was further solidified through translations of the Bible, such as the Vulgate in the late 4th century and the subsequent Slavic translations in the 9th century.

The name became particularly prominent in Eastern Orthodox cultures, where saints and religious leaders named Pavel contributed to its enduring legacy. Culturally, Pavel is often associated with humility and service, reflecting the original meaning of the name.

In Slavic traditions, names carry significant weight, often linked to familial and spiritual heritage. The name has various diminutive forms, such as Pasha or Pavlik, which have been used affectionately in familial contexts.

Pavel's historical resonance is further enhanced by its presence in literature and art, where characters named Pavel often embody virtues of humility and perseverance, reinforcing the name's cultural significance across generations.

Famous people named Pavel

In this section, you will find notable people named Pavel. 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 Pavel who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Pavel 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.

Pavel Durov is a programmer and entrepreneur best known for founding VKontakte and Telegram.

Pavel Nedved is a former professional footballer best known for playing with Lazio and Juventus.

Pavel Bure is a former professional ice hockey player best known for playing with the Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers.

Pavel Tsatsouline is a strength training coach best known for popularizing kettlebell training in the West.

Pavel Kolesnikov is a pianist best known for his performances and recordings of classical music.

Fictional characters named Pavel

The following list of fictional characters named Pavel 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.

Pavel Chekov is a fictional character from the TV and film franchise Star Trek. He is a young, Russian ensign and navigator aboard the starship Enterprise.

Sibling suggestions

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

MikhailAlexeiDmitriSofiaAnastasiaIrina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Pavel. 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.

PaoloPabloPaulPavloPavlinaPavlPavina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Pavel was first seen in the United States in 1971.

Pavel has ranked as high as #4081 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Washington, New York, Texas, and Florida.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Pavel 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 Pavel 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 Pavel.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 37 37
2024 36 36
2023 32 32
2022 31 31
2021 25 25
2020 27 27
2019 35 35
2018 40 40
2017 41 41
2016 40 40
2015 34 34
2014 48 48
2013 45 45
2012 54 54
2011 43 43
2010 47 47
2009 71 71
2008 83 83
2007 74 74
2006 62 62
2005 59 59
2004 63 63
2003 53 53
2002 45 45
2001 41 41
2000 48 48
1999 40 40
1998 37 37
1997 24 24
1996 34 34
1995 31 31
1994 31 31
1993 24 24
1992 21 21
1991 9 9
1990 10 10
1989 8 8
1988 10 10
1983 5 5
1982 7 7
1981 6 6
1980 5 5
1979 6 6
1978 6 6
1977 5 5
1972 6 6
1971 5 5

Top States for Pavel (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
CA 6
100%