The boy's name Paul \paul\ is pronounced pahl. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "small". Popular Roman and medieval name used commonly since the 18th century. Biblical: the apostle evangelist. Paul's letters to early Christians form the majority of the books of the New Testament. The name is also borne by Sir Paul McCartney and the pope who headed Vatican II. Pablo is a Spanish form; Paolo is Italian; Paulino, Paulo are Portuguese; Pal, Poul are Scandinavian; Pauel is Latin; Paulus is Slavic; Pavlik, Pavlo are Russian; Pavel is English; Paulson is Dutch, Scandinavian. Artists Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin; actors Paul Newman, Paul Bettany; Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere; musician Paul Simon; hockey player Pavel Bure.

ORIGIN
Latin

MEANING
Small

Derived from the Latin family name Paulus. A common name among the early Christians. Paul, originally known as Saul, converted to Christianity after seeing a vision of Christ. He became a missionary and authored 14 epistles in the New Testament. He's considered a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Also the name of several kings and six popes. Paul Revere, whose famous ride in 1775 to warn colonists of the arrival of British troops, influenced the name.

VARIATIONS
Paulina Pauline Paulette Paula Pauletta

FAMOUS Pauls
Paul Bunyan (folk hero) Paul Simon Paul Reiser Paul McCartney Paul Hogan (actor) Paul Cezanne (19th century painter) Paul Gauguin (19th century painter)

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