Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Paulo
BoyPortuguese, Latin· “small”
- Meaning
- small
- Origin
- Portuguese, Latin
- Pronunciation
- POW-loh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,559
- US babies 2025
- 110
- Best rank
- #935 (1973)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Paulo
Paulo is a Portuguese and Latin name that means “small”.
Small or humble is the meaning of the Latin Paulus, and Paulo is the Portuguese form of Paul. Saint Paul, the apostle whose letters form a large part of the New Testament, is the most famous bearer. Paulo is common in Brazil and Portugal, and it is widely known through the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, whose novel The Alchemist became an international bestseller. Warm and friendly, it offers a Portuguese alternative to Paul or Pablo.
Popularity over time
Paulo first appears in US Social Security records in 1913. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 6 different years, starting in 1971. Its best national rank was #935 in 1973, and the most babies received it in 2006, when 122 were named Paulo. In 2025, 110 babies were named Paulo, and it ranked #1,559 nationally. That is 64% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,166 in 1920, #2,179 in 1950, #1,020 in 1980, #1,679 in 2000, #1,951 in 2010, and #1,559 in 2025. Of the 5,031 US boys named Paulo since records began, 18% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 734 babies. Since 2010, 1,340 more have been named Paulo.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Isreal, Hyrum, Andrei, Adriano, and Paolo.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Paulo ranked highest in Texas, California, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #871 | 30 |
| California | #985 | 23 |
| Pennsylvania | #1388 | 5 |
| Illinois | #1436 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Paulo is usually pronounced POW-loh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with P and ends in “-lo”.
Middle names for Paulo
A few middle names that flow with Paulo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Paulo
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Lists that include Paulo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Paulo mean?
Paulo is a Portuguese and Latin name that means “small”.
What is the origin of the name Paulo?
Paulo has Portuguese and Latin roots. Small or humble is the meaning of the Latin Paulus, and Paulo is the Portuguese form of Paul.
Is Paulo a popular name?
Not especially. Paulo ranked #1,559 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Paulo a boy or girl name?
Paulo is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Paulo?
Paulo is usually pronounced POW-loh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings