Paul is a popular masculine given name with Latin origins. It comes from the Roman family name Paulus, which was derived from the Latin word "paulus" meaning 'small' or 'humble'. The name has been widely used throughout history and has been associated with numerous notable figures.
The name Paul first became prominent through the Apostle Paul of Tarsus, who was a Christian apostle and writer of several books in the New Testament. He played a crucial role in spreading Christianity and is considered one of the most influential individuals in the early Christian church. Due to his significant impact on Christianity, the name Paul has been widely used among Christians throughout history.
In terms of its usage over time, Paul has consistently ranked as one of the most popular names for boys in various countries. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Paul was among the top 1000 most common boy's names every year between 1879 and 2019, with its popularity peaking in the mid-20th century.
Some notable individuals named Paul include French impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, American author and philosopher Paul Tillich, British physicist and mathematician Paul Dirac, and former US President Barack Obama's older half-brother, Paul Howard Usui Obama Soetoro. Despite its widespread usage, the name Paul has not been associated with any specific holidays or traits of character throughout history. Instead, it has simply remained a popular choice for parents seeking a classic and timeless name for their sons.
The name Paul experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a total of 1,395,583 births recorded between 1880 and 2023. The name's peak occurred during the baby boom after World War II, with 21,063 births in 1946 and 22,792 in 1947. However, by 2022, only 1,351 births were recorded, indicating a substantial decrease in its popularity compared to the mid-20th century.