Fun Facts About the Name Pavel
- More than 1 thousand babies named Pavel: U.S. records list 1,544 babies given the name Pavel from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Pavel Mean?
Pavel is a Slavic form of the name Paul, which comes from the Latin Paulus, meaning "small" or "little." Paulus was a Roman cognomen, and the Latin adjective paulus has the sense "small, little." The Greek New Testament form Paulos (Παῦλος) is the immediate source for many Christian forms of the name.
The literal meaning is "small" or "little." The familiar gloss "humble" is a customary Christian interpretation, based on the idea of being lowly, rather than a separate etymology. Pavel is not derived from a different root; it is the Slavic adaptation of this same name, with the Greek diphthong αυ represented as av in Slavic pronunciation.
Pavel Name History & Origins
The name entered Slavic usage with the Christianization of Slavic-speaking peoples. Old Church Slavonic texts use Павьлъ (Pavьlъ) for the Apostle Paul, a form adapted from Greek Paulos. From this and later liturgical use developed Russian Павел (Pavel), Czech Pavel, Bulgarian Павел, Slovene Pavel, and Serbian Pavle; Polish has Paweł, Slovak has Pavol, and Ukrainian has the related Павло (Pavlo).
Because Paul was a major apostle and the name of many saints, the name became common in both Orthodox and Catholic Slavic regions. In Russian history, the form Pavel was borne by Emperor Paul I (Pavel I, reigned 1796 - 1801). Russian familiar forms include Паша (Pasha) and Павлик (Pavlik); Czech diminutives include Pavlík and Pája.
Pavel remains a standard male given name in Russia, Czechia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and other Slavic-speaking countries; the related Slovak form is Pavol. Its use is also found in Romania and in Slavic diaspora communities.
How Popular is the Name Pavel?
Pavel 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 2008. Its best rank was #1,798 in 2008.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #3,225 | 37 | 0.0022% |
| 2024 | #3,308 | 36 | 0.0021% |
| 2023 | #3,605 | 32 | 0.0019% |
| 2022 | #3,670 | 31 | 0.0018% |
| 2021 | #4,199 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 2020 | #3,892 | 27 | 0.0016% |
| 2019 | #3,320 | 35 | 0.0020% |
| 2018 | #2,980 | 40 | 0.0022% |
| 2017 | #2,933 | 41 | 0.0022% |
| 2016 | #2,968 | 40 | 0.0021% |
| 2015 | #3,344 | 34 | 0.0018% |
| 2014 | #2,567 | 48 | 0.0025% |
| 2013 | #2,657 | 45 | 0.0024% |
| 2012 | #2,377 | 54 | 0.0028% |
| 2011 | #2,782 | 43 | 0.0023% |
| 2010 | #2,620 | 47 | 0.0024% |
| 2009 | #1,984 | 71 | 0.0036% |
| 2008 | #1,798 | 83 | 0.0041% |
| 2007 | #1,924 | 74 | 0.0036% |
| 2006 | #2,120 | 62 | 0.0030% |
| 2005 | #2,104 | 59 | 0.0030% |
| 2004 | #1,949 | 63 | 0.0032% |
| 2003 | #2,117 | 53 | 0.0027% |
| 2002 | #2,326 | 45 | 0.0023% |
| 2001 | #2,413 | 41 | 0.0021% |
| 2000 | #2,122 | 48 | 0.0024% |
| 1999 | #2,293 | 40 | 0.0021% |
| 1998 | #2,381 | 37 | 0.0019% |
| 1997 | #3,134 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1996 | #2,368 | 34 | 0.0018% |
| 1995 | #2,483 | 31 | 0.0016% |
| 1994 | #2,484 | 31 | 0.0016% |
| 1993 | #2,922 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 1992 | #3,187 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 1991 | #5,817 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1990 | #5,277 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1989 | #6,070 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1988 | #4,693 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1983 | #7,021 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1982 | #5,456 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #6,042 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1980 | #7,014 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1979 | #5,867 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1978 | #5,587 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1977 | #6,585 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1972 | #4,823 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #5,459 | 5 | 0.0003% |
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.
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How the Name Pavel 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 are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Pavel's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Pavel's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.