Paulo
Fact sheet
- Name
- Paulo
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
Paulo is the Galician and Portuguese variant of Paul, a shortened form of the ancient Roman surname Paulus. The name can be literally translated as 'the small one'.
What does the name Paulo mean?
Paulo represents a Galician and Portuguese form of the name Paul, which is a diminutive of the Roman surname Paulus. The literal translation is 'the small one'. The name has its roots in Latin, derived from the words parvus and paulus, which mean 'small', 'humble', 'tiny', and 'modest'. In Belarus, the name is written as Paŭlo. Other variants include Paulinus, Paulius, Pauli, Paulin, Paulos, Paulis, and Paulinho. The name's popularity is partly attributed to the veneration of Saint Apostle Paul, whose feast day is celebrated on June 29. A prominent bearer of this name is Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho.
Where does the name Paulo come from?
The first name Paulo has Latin roots and means 'the small one'. The Latin word base comes from parvus and paulus, which mean 'small', 'humble', 'tiny', and 'modest'. The languages in which the name appears are Galician and Portuguese.
How do you pronounce Paulo?
The pronunciation of Paulo is two syllables rich in vowels. It is typically pronounced as 'Pau-lo' [ˈpaʊlo], with the first syllable beginning with a diphthong and the second syllable ending on the rounded O. This open syllable gives the name a gentle touch. Paulo sounds melodious and has a southern character, which lends it a harmonious structure and a warm aura.
When is the name day of Paulo?
The name days for Paulo are January 10, February 6, April 13, June 26, June 29, and October 19.
Popularity
In Germany, the name Paulo enjoys great popularity. Currently, it ranks 891st on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 1975, when it reached 106th place. In the last ten years, Paulo has been given as a first name about 450 times, placing it 931st in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,032nd. Internationally, the name also appears in various rankings.
Nicknames & pet names
Pabloo / Pauli / Paulschen / PauPau
Similar first names
Famous people
- Erivaldo Jorge Paulo Ferreira (footballer from Portugal)
- Joao Paulo Fernando Marangon (football player from Brazil)
- Joao Paulo Oliveira (Brazilian football player)
- Joao Paulo Purcino de Almeida (Brazilian footballer)
- Paulo Alvares (pianist from Brazil)
- Paulo Cesar Chavez (Mexican football player)
- Paulo Cesar Rocha Rosa (footballer from Brazil)
- Paulo Cesar Silva Martins (Brazilian football player)
- Paulo Coelho (writer)
- Paulo Dybala (footballer)
- Paulo Frederico Benevenute (footballer from Brazil)
- Paulo Futre (footballer from Poland)
- Paulo Gomes (Brazilian racing driver)
- Paulo Prestes (Brazilian basketball player)
- Paulo Retre (Australian footballer)
- Paulo Roberto Jamelli Junior (Brazilian footballer)
- Paulo Roberto Marques Roris (Brazilian footballer)
- Paulo Rogerio Reis Silva (Brazilian football player)
- Paulo Scott (Brazilian poet)
- Paulo Sergio Moreira Goncalves (footballer from Portugal)
Frequently asked questions about the name Paulo
What does the name Paulo mean?
The name Paulo is a Galician and Portuguese form of the name Paul and means 'the small one'. This meaning comes from Latin, where the words 'parvus' and 'paulus' stand for 'small' and 'humble'.
Where does the name Paulo come from?
Paulo has Latin roots and is particularly common in Galician and Portuguese-speaking regions.
How popular is the name Paulo?
The popularity of the name Paulo is influenced in part by the veneration of Saint Apostle Paul, whose feast day is celebrated on June 29. Additionally, Paulo is very well-known as a first name in Brazil, especially due to writer Paulo Coelho.