Pawel Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAH-vel /ˈpavɛl/
Origin: Polish; Slavic
Meaning: small; humble
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Pawel is of Slavic origin, derived from the Latin name Paulus, which means "small" or "humble." The transition from Latin to Slavic languages occurred as Christianity spread through Eastern Europe, particularly during the early medieval period. The name Paulus was adopted into various languages, leading to forms such as Paul in English, Paolo in Italian, and Pavel in Czech and Russian.
The Slavic adaptation of the name, Pawel, reflects the phonetic and morphological characteristics of the Polish language, where it has been used since at least the 10th century. Historically, the name Pawel has been borne by numerous notable figures, including saints and scholars.
One of the most significant is Saint Paul the Apostle, a key figure in early Christianity whose letters form a substantial part of the New Testament. His influence on Christian theology and the spread of Christianity throughout Europe during the 1st century laid the groundwork for the name's adoption in various cultures.
In Poland, Pawel became particularly prominent with the establishment of Christianity in the region, especially after the Baptism of Poland in 966, which marked the beginning of the Christian era in Polish history. Culturally, the name Pawel carries connotations of humility and modesty, aligning with its original meaning.
It has been a popular name in Polish literature and folklore, often associated with virtuous characters. The diminutive form "Pawko" is sometimes used affectionately, reflecting the name's endearing qualities.
The enduring presence of Pawel in Polish culture underscores its significance, as it has been passed down through generations, maintaining its relevance in various cultural contexts.
Famous people named Pawel
In this section, you will find notable people named Pawel. 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 Pawel who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Pawel 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.
Pawel Pawlikowski is a film director best known for Ida, Cold War, and My Summer of Love.
Pawel Dembowski is a mathematician best known for his work in algebraic topology and homotopy theory.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Pawel, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Pawel. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Pawel was first seen in the United States in 1980.
Pawel has ranked as high as #6064 nationally, which occurred in 1994, and has been most popular in Illinois, New York, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Pawel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Pawel 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 Pawel 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 Pawel.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 | 7 |
| 2014 | 8 | 8 |
| 2012 | 6 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 | 7 |
| 2009 | 15 | 15 |
| 2008 | 15 | 15 |
| 2007 | 15 | 15 |
| 2006 | 15 | 15 |
| 2005 | 16 | 16 |
| 2004 | 11 | 11 |
| 2003 | 9 | 9 |
| 2002 | 13 | 13 |
| 2001 | 11 | 11 |
| 2000 | 8 | 8 |
| 1999 | 21 | 21 |
| 1998 | 23 | 23 |
| 1997 | 19 | 19 |
| 1996 | 14 | 14 |
| 1995 | 27 | 27 |
| 1994 | 29 | 29 |
| 1993 | 26 | 26 |
| 1992 | 17 | 17 |
| 1991 | 17 | 17 |
| 1990 | 11 | 11 |
| 1989 | 14 | 14 |
| 1988 | 12 | 12 |
| 1987 | 12 | 12 |
| 1986 | 9 | 9 |
| 1985 | 9 | 9 |
| 1984 | 11 | 11 |
| 1982 | 7 | 7 |
| 1981 | 10 | 10 |
| 1980 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Pawel (2009)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 10 |