Paul

What does Paul mean?

Paul means “The small one” and goes back to Latin and reached central Europe through the Roman world and the language of the church. Name meanings are rarely definitive; where several readings circulate we list the most common first. Treat them as origin stories rather than definitions.

Sound, length and pronunciation

It is pronounced PAUL. The consonant ending gives the name definition. If your surname also starts hard, the say-it-out-loud test is worth doing. The hard initial sound means the name carries even in a noisy room.

With 4 letters and 1 syllable, Paul is decidedly short. Short names have a practical advantage: you can call them across a playground without losing the second half, and they need no nickname because they already are one.

How popular is the name?

Paul is currently in the top 10 most popular first names in German-speaking countries: familiar, unproblematic at the registry office — and quite possibly not the only one at nursery.

Variants and spellings of Paul

Paul shares a root or meaning with 3 other names. Some are pure spelling variants, others independent names from the same root.

Does Paul suit your surname?

Check Paul against your surname for three things: the rhythm when spoken, the initials (Anna Sophie Schmidt becomes A.S.S.) and the nickname nursery will inevitably produce.

Sibling names that go with it

Parents who go on to have a second child often want names that work together. Paul pairs well with Emilia, Klara, Paula, Emily, Maja.

Registry offices in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

In Germany the registry office decides whether a first name may be entered. It must be recognisable as a first name and must not harm the child's wellbeing. Austria applies comparable criteria, and in Switzerland the civil registry decides. Paul is an established name and entirely unproblematic in all three countries.