What does the baby name “Paul” mean?
Paul is a short, classic baby name rooted in the Latin word for small or humble, carried for two thousand years by one of Christianity's most influential figures.
Origin of the baby name Paul
Paul comes from the Latin Paulus, meaning small or humble. It shares this root with names like Pablo and Paolo, both close doublets that developed the same Latin core in different European languages.
Baby Paul: The Explorer →
History of the baby name “Paul”
Paul's lasting popularity owes much to the Apostle Paul, one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, whose writings shaped much of the New Testament. The name has remained in steady use across the English speaking and European world for centuries, never disappearing entirely even as fashions shifted around it.
Why parents choose the baby name “Paul”
Parents continue to choose Paul for its clean simplicity, one syllable, easy to spell, and free of unnecessary flourish. It feels timeless rather than trendy, equally fitting for a baby today as it has for generations before. Its quiet confidence and easy familiarity make it a dependable, classic choice.
Nicknames for the Baby Name “Paul”
Pa, Pay, Pain, Pakin, Paster, Paerino, Painator
Nicknames from Around the World for the Baby Name “Paul”
Terms of endearment for a baby name work differently around the world. Some cultures clip the name short, while others add an affectionate ending that can make it longer instead. Here is how the baby name Paul might sound as a nickname in a few other languages and dialects.
Variations on the baby name “Paul”
Across Europe, Paul takes related forms such as Paulos in Greek, Paavo in Finnish, Paolo in Italian, Pavel in Czech and Russian, and Pablo in Spanish. The diminutive Paulino also appears in several Romance languages. Each version keeps the same humble Latin meaning at its heart.
Baby names similar to “Paul”
These baby names share spelling patterns with Paul and may appeal to parents who love the look and feel of this name.
Baby names that sound like “Paul”
Baby sibling names for Paul
Matched by similar popularity, name length, and ending sound. See baby sibling names with numerology compatible with Paul →
Baby Middle Names for Paul
Picked for a different ending sound and rhythm than Paul, so the two names flow well said together as a pair.