Paul is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was quite common in ancient Rome. The name Paulus is believed to have been an adjective meaning "small," although it is also thought that it may have been derived from the Latin word "paulus," meaning "humble."
The name Paul became popular during the Early Christian period due to Saint Paul of Tarsus, who was originally known as Saul but changed his name after his conversion to Christianity. He was a major figure in the spread of Christianity and is now considered one of the most influential figures in the history of Western civilization.
Over time, the name Paul has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. Some of the most famous bearers of the name include Paul Bunyan, the legendary lumberjack from American folklore; Paul Cézanne, the French Post-Impressionist painter; and Paul McCartney, a member of the Beatles, one of the most successful bands in rock music history.
Today, Paul remains a popular choice for boys' names around the world. It is often paired with other names such as Paul Newman, Paul Simon, or even Paul Revere, who is famous for his midnight ride during the American Revolution. Despite its long history and many notable bearers, the name Paul retains a certain timelessness and universality that continues to appeal to parents today.
The statistics show a total of 37 births for the name Paul in the United States between 1967 and 1985. The year with the highest number of births was 1981, with 7 occurrences. There were also years with fewer births: 1967 had 9 births, while 1975, 1982, and 1985 each had 5 births.