Paul (name) - Origin and Diffusion

Origin and Diffusion

The Roman family name Paulus derives from the Latin adjective meaning "scarce", "small" or "humble" and which is cognate to the modern English word "few". Its prevalence in nations with a Christian heritage is primarily due to its attachment to Saint Paul the Apostle, whose Greek name was Παῦλος, Pàulos, a transliteration from the Latin.

The name Paul is common in all European languages (e.g. English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, Greek, Russian, Georgian). The feminine versions are Paula, Pauline, Paulina, and Paulette. Below are more notable people named Paul in history.