Paul Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Paul is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Paul?
Paul is spelled P-A-U-L. The name has 4 letters.
Paul at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Paul derives from the Latin Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble.”
- Origin
- Paul is commonly associated with the Latin name Paulus.
- Pronunciation
- PAWL · 1 syllable
Paul Popularity in 2025
Rank#262
Recorded Births1,316
- Boys usage held steady at #262 and recorded 14 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Paul Mean?
Paul derives from the Latin Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble.”
Origin: Paul is commonly associated with the Latin name Paulus.
How Do You Pronounce Paul?
PronunciationPAWL
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Paul?
- History
- The name Paul has historic usage in early Roman times and is known for its association with Saint Paul in Christian tradition.
Paul Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2004 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 1,316 | #262 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,330 | #262 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,359 | #256 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,334 | #262 |
| 2021 | Boys | 1,385 | #257 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,401 | #252 |
| 2019 | Boys | 1,513 | #245 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,635 | #234 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,699 | #225 |
| 2016 | Boys | 1,941 | #206 |
| 2015 | Boys | 2,032 | #199 |
| 2014 | Boys | 2,007 | #201 |
| 2013 | Boys | 2,038 | #198 |
| 2012 | Boys | 1,958 | #190 |
| 2011 | Boys | 2,078 | #186 |
| 2010 | Boys | 2,129 | #177 |
| 2009 | Boys | 2,428 | #160 |
| 2008 | Boys | 2,555 | #154 |
| 2007 | Boys | 2,771 | #147 |
| 2006 | Girls | 6 | #15,152 |
| 2006 | Boys | 3,037 | #132 |
| 2005 | Girls | 5 | #16,462 |
| 2005 | Boys | 3,145 | #130 |
| 2004 | Girls | 9 | #10,690 |
When Was Paul Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1957 · Boys
27,012 recorded births
National rank #18
1956 · Boys
26,897 recorded births
National rank #17
1964 · Boys
26,874 recorded births
National rank #16
1955 · Boys
26,701 recorded births
National rank #16
Where Paul Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NH | #110 | 13 |
| AK | #110 | 7 |
| DC | #168 | 5 |
| CT | #179 | 19 |
| WV | #183 | 10 |
| ID | #188 | 14 |
| ND | #191 | 6 |
| KY | #199 | 28 |