Paul
Paul is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Small or humble.
Origin and history
Paul is derived from the Latin family name Paullus, meaning 'small' or 'humble'. It gained widespread international usage due to Saint Paul, a key apostle in early Christianity. Historically one of the most popular male names in the United States, it remains a timeless classic.
Popularity in the United States
1,398,293 babies in the United States have been named Paul since 1880. It ranks #17 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #253.
States where it is most popular
- NY (9.7 %)
- PA (7.7 %)
- CA (7.6 %)
- OH (6 %)
- MA (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 4,196 |
| 1890-1900 | 8,181 |
| 1900-1910 | 12,636 |
| 1910-1920 | 78,216 |
| 1920-1930 | 132,384 |
| 1930-1940 | 125,774 |
| 1940-1950 | 183,364 |
| 1950-1960 | 253,202 |
| 1960-1970 | 242,503 |
| 1970-1980 | 136,390 |
| 1980-1990 | 104,397 |
| 1990-2000 | 58,931 |
| 2000-2010 | 30,964 |
| 2010-2019 | 19,030 |
| 2020-2029 | 8,125 |
Famous people named Paul
- Paul McCartney: Musician, Singer
- Paul Newman: Actor, Director
- Paul Rudd: Actor, Comedian
Nicknames
Paulie, Pauly
Fun facts
- Originally named Saul, Saint Paul adopted this name after his conversion on the road to Damascus.
- Paul ranked among the top 20 most popular male names in the United States throughout the first half of the 20th century.