Paul - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's name Paul \paul\ is pronounced pahl. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "small". Popular Roman and medieval name used commonly since the 18th century. Biblical: the apostle evangelist. Paul's letters to early Christians form the majority of the books of the New Testament. The name is also borne by Sir Paul McCartney and the pope who headed Vatican II. Pablo is a Spanish form; Paolo is Italian; Paulino, Paulo are Portuguese; Pal, Poul are Scandinavian; Pauel is Dutch; Paulus is Latin; Pavel is Slavic; Pavlik, Pavlo are Russian; Paulson is English; Paulsen is Dutch, Scandinavian. Artists Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin; actors Paul Newman, Paul Bettany; Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere; musician Paul Simon; hockey player Pavel Bure.

Paul has 26 variant forms: Havel, Paavo, Pablo, Pal, Paolo, Pasha, Pauel, Pauli, Paulie, Paulin, Paulino, Paulinus, Paulo, Paulos, Paulsen, Paulson, Paulus, Pauly, Pavel, Pavle, Pavlik, Pavlo, Pawel, Pol, Poll and Poul.

For more information, see also related names Paley, Pollard and Powell.

Baby names that sound like Paul are Pall, Bail, Pali, Peall, Peal, Peel and Pell.

Paul is a very popular male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Paul. Click here to compare Paul with related baby names.