Fun Facts About the Name Paulus
- 21 babies named Paulus: U.S. records list 21 babies given the name Paulus from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Paulus Mean?
Paulus is a Latin name meaning "small" or "humble." It comes from the Latin adjective paulus (also spelled paullus), meaning "little" or "small." In ancient Rome it was a cognomen, a family nickname, used by the Aemilii Paulli and others. The name is also the Latin form of the Greek Paulos (Παῦλος), the name of the apostle Paul. The literal sense is "small"; "humble" is a customary interpretation that developed in Christian usage.
Paulus Name History & Origins
Paulus was used as a Roman cognomen. Lucius Aemilius Paullus was consul in 219 BC and died fighting Hannibal at Cannae in 216 BC; his descendant Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus defeated Perseus of Macedon at Pydna in 168 BC. In the first century AD, Saul of Tarsus, a Jewish Christian missionary and Roman citizen, was also called Paul. The Greek New Testament names him Paulos, and the Latin Vulgate and later Latin Christian writings call him Paulus. The name's use in Christian communities is closely tied to the apostle Paul. Latin Paulus is the ancestor of English Paul, Italian Paolo, Spanish Pablo, French Paul, and Russian Pavel, among other forms. The Latin form Paulus itself continued in liturgical and scholarly use and became a given name in languages such as Dutch and German.
How Popular is the Name Paulus?
Paulus has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1965. Its best rank was #3,824 in 1965.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | #7,827 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1965 | #3,824 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | #4,469 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1929 | #4,405 | 5 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with P
How the Name Paulus Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Paulus's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Paulus's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.