Paul
Peaked at #12 nationally in 1916, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Paul has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Paul comes from the Latin name Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble." It rose to prominence through Saint Paul the Apostle, born Saul of Tarsus, whose missionary journeys and epistles were central to the spread of early Christianity. The name's biblical association made it a lasting favorite across Christian Europe and, later, the United States.
Notable people & culture
Six popes have taken the name Paul, and it has been carried by figures ranging from Revolutionary War rider Paul Revere to musician Paul McCartney of the Beatles. Actor Paul Newman and, more recently, actor Paul Rudd are among its notable modern bearers. It has no widely used standard nickname, though "Paulie" appears informally.
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Paul — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#637
in 1928
Last ranked
#16623
in 2006
Years tracked
118
1884–2006
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1884, Paul reached its peak popularity for girls in 1928, ranking #637 nationally with 123 babies given the name that year.
Paul hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2006, when it stood at #16623.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | #16,623 | 6 |
| 2005 | #18,479 | 5 |
| 2004 | #11,395 | 9 |
| 2003 | #13,475 | 7 |
| 2001 | #13,133 | 7 |
| 2000 | #10,525 | 9 |
| 1999 | #13,974 | 6 |
| 1998 | #8,435 | 11 |
Paul — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#12
in 1916
Current rank
#264
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Paul reached its peak popularity for boys in 1916, ranking #12 nationally with 10,790 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #201 (2014) to #264 (2024) — a 24% drop.
As of 2024, Paul ranks #264 nationally for boys, with 1,320 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #264 | 1,320 |
| 2023 | #256 | 1,359 |
| 2022 | #262 | 1,330 |
| 2021 | #257 | 1,384 |
| 2020 | #252 | 1,401 |
| 2019 | #245 | 1,512 |
| 2018 | #234 | 1,634 |
| 2017 | #225 | 1,697 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Paul most popular?
Paul was most popular in 1916, when it ranked #12 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Paul becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Paul?
At least 1,402,786 babies have been recorded with the name Paul in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Paul? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.