Given name & surname
Paulo
“a small or humble man”·“small”
In Spanish use, Paulo has a related form in Pablo. In Spanish use, Pablo carries the interpretation “a small or humble man.” Paulo is a variant of Paul. Interpretations include “small” and “a small or humble man” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Spanish use, Paulo has a related form in Pablo. In Spanish use, Pablo carries the interpretation “a small or humble man.” Paulo is a variant of Paul. Interpretations include “small” and “a small or humble man” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Paulo is a variant of Paul. An origin associated with Paul is Latin.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In Swahili usage, Paulo developed from Paulus.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1913. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Paulo through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5,031
- 5,031 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2006
- 122 babies
- 2025
- 110
- #1,559 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +30%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 110 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,559 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 29.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 122 in 2006. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (30). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 11,111 as a first name in 2020; 1,854 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Paulo’s family of names
In Filipino usage, Paulo has a diminutive in Paulino. Paulo shares a linguistic root with Paul. In Spanish usage, Paulo has a related form in Pablo.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Paulo has relatives in 12 languages.
13 related names in 12 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 28
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
- Paulafeminine form
- Paolodoublet · Portuguese, Italian
- PavelCzech
- Pauequivalent
- Pavleequivalent
- Pavloequivalent
- Pawelequivalent
- Poulequivalent
Show 20 moreShow fewer
People named Paulo
- Paulo CoelhoBrazilian lyricist and novelist (born 1947)
- Paulo DybalaArgentine association football player (born 1993)
- Paulo FreireBrazilian educator and philosopher (1921–1997)
- Paulo FerreiraPortuguese footballer (born 1979)
- Paulo FutrePortuguese association football playerborn 1966
- Paulo WanchopeCosta Rican association football playerborn 1976
- Paulo Roberto FalcãoBrazilian association football player and managerborn 1953
- Paulo SilasBrazilian association football playerborn 1965
- TingaBrazilian association football playerborn 1978
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Paulo, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Angelo
“a messenger from God”
>99% boys
Arturo
“strong as a bear”
>99% boys
Pedro
“as solid and strong as a rock”
>99% boys
Aron
“Exalted” · “mountain of strength”
>99% boys
Andy
“manly; a warrior” · “manliness”
96% boys · 4% girls
Adan
“man” · “of the earth”
99% boys · 1% girls
Marco
“dedicated to Mars, the god of war”
>99% boys
Saul
“one who was prayed for”
>99% boys