Declining since 2008, #3,181 for boys today.
Popularity of Pavel since 1971
Babies named Pavel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 41 |
| 1990s | 261 |
| 2000s | 599 |
| 2010s | 427 |
| 2020s | 188 |
Meaning & origin
Pavel is the Slavic form of Paul, rooted in the Latin word for 'small' or 'humble.' In the United States, its usage has been modest but steady, first recorded in 1971, with a peak in popularity in 2008. Since then, its rank has fallen, reflecting a broader trend of declining use for many traditional Slavic names. As of 2025, the name ranks 3,181, with approximately 1 in every 46,164 male newborns receiving the name. California, the top state for Pavel, suggests a concentration among families with Eastern European heritage. Despite its relative rarity, Pavel retains a classic, cross-cultural appeal, carried by its association with saints and its widespread familiarity across Slavic-speaking countries.
Pavel is the Slavic form of the Latin name Paulus, meaning 'small' or 'humble.' It has been used throughout Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, where it has been borne by saints and historical figures. The name entered wider usage through the influence of saints such as Saint Paul, though the Slavic form developed independently in the Orthodox Christian tradition.
Where Pavel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Pavel” around the world
Where Pavel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
60
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pav, Pavlik, Pasha
Variants: Paavali, Pavol, Paweł
Sibling names for Pavel
Names that share Pavel's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Elena, Olga, Tatiana, Nina, Vera, Irina, Marika, Nikita, Vanda, Halina, Katrinka, Mirka, Nastassia, Oksana, Yanina, Alyona, Olia, Patra, Sofya, Lada, Nastacia, Ulyana
Brothers: Ivan, Mikhail, Sergei, Dmitri, Andrei, Anton, Demitri, Aleksei, Aleksey, Alexandr, Andrej, Kirill, Leonid, Michail, Nicholai, Nikolay, Nikoli, Vladislav, Artem, Artyom, Matvey, Stanislav, Radek, Danil, Fedor, Fyodor, Gleb, Petr, Savva, Vasili, Vasily, Vencil
