Paolo
Paolo is a boy's name of Italian origin.
Meaning
Small or humble, derived from the Latin family name Paulus.
Origin and history
Paolo is the Italian form of the classical Latin name Paulus. It has been used continuously in Italy since antiquity and remains a recognizable choice in the United States, particularly among families of Italian heritage. While never a top-tier mainstream name in the U.S., it maintains steady moderate usage.
Popularity in the United States
3,739 babies in the United States have been named Paolo since 1880. It ranks #2086 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1536.
States where it is most popular
- CA (38.8 %)
- NY (26.3 %)
- FL (11.1 %)
- TX (9.5 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 10 |
| 1920-1930 | 22 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 15 |
| 1960-1970 | 218 |
| 1970-1980 | 345 |
| 1980-1990 | 453 |
| 1990-2000 | 642 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,009 |
| 2010-2019 | 633 |
| 2020-2029 | 392 |
Famous people named Paolo
- Paolo Maldini: Athlete, Footballer
- Paolo Sorrentino: Director, Screenwriter
- Paolo Rossi: Athlete, Footballer
Fun facts
- The name was borne by several prominent Italian Renaissance painters, including Paolo Veronese and Paolo Uccello.
- It derives directly from the Roman cognomen Paulus, which meant small or modest.