Rising since 1989, #1,554 for boys today.
Popularity of Paulo since 1913
Babies named Paulo per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Paulo's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 35 |
| 1920s | 146 |
| 1930s | 140 |
| 1940s | 139 |
| 1950s | 121 |
| 1960s | 224 |
| 1970s | 689 |
| 1980s | 627 |
| 1990s | 649 |
| 2000s | 921 |
| 2010s | 734 |
| 2020s | 606 |
Meaning & origin
Paulo, the Portuguese form of Paul, has a steady presence in U.S. naming records since 1913. As of 2025, the name ranks 1554th, with a 1-in-15,528 frequency, indicating moderate but consistent use. Its peak year was 2023, and its trajectory has been rising since 1989. The name is most popular in states with large Portuguese-speaking communities such as Texas, California, and Illinois, which aligns with its cultural roots. While not among the most common names, Paulo maintains enduring appeal particularly in Brazilian and Portuguese families, reflecting its humble meaning and deep Christian heritage.
Paulo is the Portuguese form of Paul, which derives from the Latin cognomen Paulus meaning "small" or "humble." As a Roman family name, Paulus was adopted into early Christian tradition through the apostle Paul. The Portuguese variant Paulo became widespread in Portugal and Brazil, where it has remained a classic given name for centuries.
Where Paulo is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Paulo” around the world
Where Paulo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Paulinho, Pau
Variants: Paiva, Paulinho
Sibling names for Paulo
Names that share Paulo's style, for a brother or sister.
