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34 Variations of Paul

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Apr 22 2021
Paul is one of those classic baby names that's neither in style nor thoroughly out. Paul's many international versions all start with P.
  1. Paul

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Paul is an ancient name for boys -- popular in Roman and medieval times -- that's not very fashionable now, which can work in its favor, scarcity balancing simplicity.
  2. Paolo

    • Origin:

      Italian, variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Paolo is an irresistibly lush Italian name for boys, worlds more romantic than its spare English equivalent.
  3. Pablo

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Pablo, the commonly used Spanish version of Paul, has the added bonus of some fantastic artistic bearers: painter Picasso, cellist Casals, and poet Neruda. Pablo has been consistently in the US charts since records began, and has been within the Top 500 since the mid 60s. However, Pablo has never cracked the Top 200, making it familiar but not overused or tired.
  4. Pavel

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Pavel may be widespread in the former Soviet Union, but it has a somewhat impoverished image here.
  5. Pasha

    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Pavel

    • Meaning:

      "small, humble"

    • Description:

      Similar in sound to Sasha, Pasha is a Russian diminutive of the name Pavel, itself a form of Paul. Also used as a title for a high ranking officer in the (now historical) Ottoman military, and as the common name of a type of butterfly, it is a name well-suited for an Easter baby, due to its similarity to the word Pascha.
  6. Paavo

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Paul

    • Description:

      This international variation deserves its own listing for a winning combination of distinctiveness and simplicity.
  7. Pal

    • Description:

      Pal is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hungarian, it's equivalent to Paul, derived from Latin 'Paulus' meaning 'small' or 'humble.' In South Asian cultures, particularly India, Pal means 'protector' or 'caretaker.' The name also functions as a nickname for Paul or similar names in many Western countries. Short and straightforward, Pal is instantly recognizable and easy to pronounce across languages. While not currently ranking among popular baby names in most Western countries, it maintains steady usage in Hungary and parts of South Asia. The word's friendly associations in English (as in 'friend' or 'buddy') gives the name a warm, approachable quality. Its multicultural nature makes it appealing for families seeking a simple name with international versatility.
  8. Pau

    • Origin:

      Catalan variant of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small; peace"

    • Description:

      A very common name in Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain, in no small part because it translates as "peace" in the Catalan tongue. Alec and HIlaria Baldwin used it as one of the middle names for their son Eduardo.
  9. Pashenka

    • Description:

      Russian diminutive of Paul.
  10. Påvel

    • Description:

      Påvel is a Scandinavian variant of the name Paul, primarily used in Sweden and other Nordic countries. The distinctive 'å' character is pronounced similar to the 'o' in 'or.' Like its root name Paul, Påvel derives from the Latin 'Paulus' meaning 'small' or 'humble.' The name carries significant religious importance as Saint Paul was a crucial figure in early Christianity. In Sweden, Påvel represents a traditional form that maintains cultural heritage while connecting to the widely recognized Paul. While not among the most common Swedish names today, Påvel offers a distinctive Nordic character that celebrates Scandinavian linguistic traditions. The name combines historical depth with a distinctive regional identity through its special character.

  11. Poll

    • Description:

      Poll is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It could be a variant of Paul, derived from the Latin name Paulus meaning 'small' or 'humble.' In some regions, it may function as a shortened form of Apollonius, which refers to the Greek god Apollo. Additionally, Poll might serve as a nickname for names beginning with 'Pol' such as Polydore or Polycarp. The name is relatively uncommon in modern usage, particularly as a formal given name rather than a nickname. While Poll has historical precedence, it remains rare in contemporary naming trends, giving it a distinctive quality for parents seeking an uncommon name with classical connections.

  12. Paulo

    • Origin:

      Portuguese, Swedish, and Hawaiian variation of Paul

    • Description:

      Paulo suffers in comparison to the richer and more authentic-sounding Paolo.
  13. Pavlos

    • Origin:

      Greek variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Pavlos is a distinctive Greek variation of Paul and is notably borne by Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece - the current head of the former royal family.
  14. Pali

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "cliff; handsome"
  15. Paulin

    • Origin:

      German and Polish variation of Paul

    • Description:

      Paulin's -in suffix and two-syllable rhythm make this a fashionable alternative to the original, though it looks like an abbreviation of Pauline.
  16. Pauel

    • Description:

      Pauel appears to be a variant spelling of Paul, a name with Latin origins meaning "small" or "humble." This unique spelling may reflect Welsh or other Celtic influences, where vowel combinations like "ae" or "ue" appear in traditional names. As a variant form, Pauel maintains the meaning and heritage of Paul while offering a distinctive visual appearance and potentially slightly different pronunciation. The name Paul has biblical significance as one of the most important early Christian apostles, and its variations appear across many languages and cultures. Pauel remains extremely rare, making it an uncommon alternative for parents who appreciate the historical depth and simplicity of Paul but desire something more distinctive. This spelling variant gives the classic name a fresh, somewhat exotic quality while retaining its fundamental character.

  17. Pól

    • Description:

      Pól is a masculine name that represents the Faroese, Icelandic, and Irish Gaelic form of Paul. The original name Paul derives from Latin 'Paulus,' meaning 'small' or 'humble.' Pól maintains the simplicity of the original while featuring the distinctive accent mark that changes its pronunciation slightly in these cultures. In Irish tradition, the name has been used since early Christian times. While uncommon outside its native regions, Pól offers a cultural connection to Celtic and Nordic heritage in a compact, strong form. The accent mark gives this classic name a distinctive quality that sets it apart from the more common Paul while honoring linguistic traditions of its origin cultures.
  18. Pavlo

    • Origin:

      Ukrainian variation of Paul, 'small"

    • Description:

      Pavlo has more energy than the Russian Pavel, perhaps because it sounds like the Spanish Pablo.
  19. Pol

    • Origin:

      Breton and Catalan form of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Pol, pronounced as "pole," though a popular Breton name, would be an unusual form of a simple classic elsewhere. The Breton Saint Pol Aurelian was known as a slayer of dragons and a founder of monasteries.
  20. Pavle

    • Origin:

      Serbian, Croatian, Georgian

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      A distinct variant of the classic Paul, used commonly in many South Slavic countries as well as Georgia.