How to pronounce the name Paul
Pronunciation guide for Paul
ARPA
P AO1 L
IPA
pɔl

Pronunciation Breakdown

Detailed phonetic analysis of how to say Paul

Syllables (1)

P AO1 L

Bold syllables indicate primary stress

Sound Breakdown

P
pee (p)
AO1
ought (ɔ)
L
lee (l)

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

pɔl

Standard international representation

Pronunciation Tips

• This is a single-syllable name, pronounced in one smooth sound.

• Emphasize the syllable marked in bold for correct pronunciation.

Name Statistics
Key metrics and characteristics of Paul

Structure

Character Count
4
Syllable Count
1
Vowel Ratio
50%
Name Family
paul

Usability

Pronunciation Difficulty4/10

Moderate difficulty

International Friendliness10/10

Works well across languages

DNA profile of the name Paul
Unique character and personality of the name Paul

Name Personality

The Global
Global
Adaptable
Modern

Key Characteristics

Length
Short

Concise and memorable

Rhythm
Monosyllabic

Simple and direct

Sound
Balanced

Mix of vowels and consonants

Ease
Moderate

May require practice

Global
Universal

Works across cultures

Heritage
paul

Part of this name family

Letter Frequency

p×1
a×1
u×1

Most frequent letters in Paul

Visual Pattern

Tall bars = vowels, Short bars = consonants

Name Statistics

📊
Syllables
1 syllable
🗣️
Ease of Pronunciation
Easy
4/10 difficulty
🌍
International Friendliness
Excellent
10/10 global ease
Pronunciation Difficulty Comparison

How does Paul compare to the average name?

Paul4/10 😐
4.0
Average Name5.0/10
5.0

Paul is easier than average by 1.0 points.

Difficulty Scale:

Very Easy (02)
Easy (24)Paul
Moderate (46)
Challenging (68)
Difficult (911)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Name Family

Names related to Paul (root: paul)

Current Name

Paul

Related Names (15)

Short variations:

Paula
Paule

Medium variations:

Paulann
Paulanne
Paulcin
Pauldo
Paulean
Pauleen
Paulemon

Long variations:

Paul-alexander
Paul-dorel
Paul-james
Paul-junior
Paul-michael
Paulanthony

Paul belongs to a family of 30 related names.Showing 15 most common variations.

What does the name Paul mean?
The meaning and origin of Paul
Historical Reference

noun 1. United States feminist (1885-1977)

Historical Reference

noun 2. (New Testament) a Christian missionary to the Gentiles; author of several Epistles in the New Testament; even though Paul was not present at the Last Supper he is considered an Apostle; 'Paul's name was Saul prior to his conversion to Christianity'

Meaning Theme
The emotional tone and themes in Paul's meanings

Primary Theme

📖
Descriptive

Based on origin, place, or historical context

Theme Distribution

Descriptive
2
Name Numerology
Numerological analysis and letter patterns for Paul

Life Path Number

5
The Explorer

Dynamic personalities who thrive on change, freedom, and new experiences.

Adventurous
Adaptable
Free-spirited
Curious

Most Common Letters

p×1
a×1
u×1
l×1

Sound Composition

Vowels
2(50%)
Consonants
2(50%)

Consonant-heavy names tend to sound more crisp and strong

Numerology Breakdown

p7
a1
u3
l3

Each letter is assigned a number (1-9). These are added together and reduced to find your Life Path Number.

Notable People Named Paul
Famous individuals named Paul
👤

Frei Otto

German architect (1925-2015)

Born: 1925

👤

Erich Honecker

former leader of East Germany, General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party (1976-1989)

Born: 1912

👤

Paul Oskar Kristeller

German-American philosopher and art historian (1905-1999)

Born: 1905

👤

Paul Carell

SS officer, German writer and politician (1911-1997)

Born: 1911

How popular is the name Paul?
Popularity rankings and trends for Paul around the world
Paul Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for boys named Paul

Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)

Paul Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for girls named Paul

Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)

Country Comparison
How Paul ranks across different countries

Showing top 10 countries by ranking (lower rank = more popular)

What words rhyme with the name Paul?
Rhyming words for Paul
all
antol
appall
aul
aull
bacall
ball
baseball
bawl
befall
brawl
call
caul
crall
crawl
dall
daul
depaul
drawl
edsall

Frequently Asked Questions

How popular is Paul in Australia?
Paul is moderately popular in Australia as of 1998, ranking at #86. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Paul in Austria?
Paul is extremely popular in Austria as of 2018, ranking at #1. It's one of the top three most popular boys' names in the country.
How popular is Paul in Canada?
Paul is moderately popular in Canada as of 1997, ranking at #97. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Paul in France?
Paul is very popular in France as of 2018, ranking at #13. It ranks in the top 20 boys' names.
How popular is Paul in Germany?
Paul is extremely popular in Germany as of 2019, ranking at #2. It's one of the top three most popular boys' names in the country.
How popular is Paul in Ireland?
Paul is moderately popular in Ireland as of 2011, ranking at #97. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Paul in Netherlands?
Paul is used but uncommon in Netherlands as of 2010, ranking at #493. While it is used as a boys' name, it's relatively uncommon.
How popular is Paul in New Zealand?
Paul is moderately popular in New Zealand as of 1998, ranking at #85. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Paul in Norway?
Paul is moderately popular in Norway as of 1974, ranking at #99. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Paul in Romania?
Paul is quite popular in Romania as of 2009, ranking at #41. It ranks in the top 50 boys' names.
How popular is Paul in Switzerland?
Paul is quite popular in Switzerland as of 2018, ranking at #45. It ranks in the top 50 boys' names.
How popular is Paul in United Kingdom?
Paul is used but uncommon in United Kingdom as of 2018, ranking at #346. While it is used as a boys' name, it's relatively uncommon.
How popular is Paul in United States?
Paul is used but uncommon in United States as of 2018, ranking at #234. While it is used as a boys' name, it's relatively uncommon.
How do you pronounce Paul?
IPA: /pɔl/ ARPA: P AO1 L This name has a moderate pronunciation difficulty.
How many syllables are in Paul?
Paul has 1 syllable.
Is Paul easy to pronounce?
Paul is relatively easy to pronounce for most English speakers. It doesn't contain uncommon sound combinations.
Is Paul easy to pronounce internationally?
Yes, Paul is extremely international-friendly (10/10). It uses sounds that are common across many languages and cultures, making it easy for people worldwide to pronounce.
Who are some famous people named Paul?
There are 100 notable people named Paul. This name has significant cultural presence and recognition.
What names are similar to Paul?
Names similar to Paul include: Paul-alexander, Paul-dorel, Paul-james, Paul-junior, Paul-michael. These names share similar sounds or roots.
Is Paul a good baby name?
Paul is a good baby name, particularly if you value names that are internationally friendly.
Is Paul a boy or girl name?
Paul can be used for any gender, though usage varies by culture and region. Check the rankings section to see gender distribution patterns.
How do you spell Paul?
The name is spelled P-a-u-l. Common spelling variations include: Paul-alexander, Paul-dorel, Paul-james.
What does the name Paul mean?
The name Paul has multiple meaningful interpretations. Primary meanings include "Paul n 1: United States feminist (1885-1977) [syn: {Paul}, {Alice Paul}] 2: (New Testament) a Christian missionary to the Gentiles; author of several Epistles in the New Testament; even though Paul was not present at the Last Supper he is considered an Apostle; "Paul's name was Saul prior to his conversion to Christianity" [syn: {Paul}, {Saint Paul}, {St" and "Paul Paul". This name carries significant cultural and historical weight, reflecting the traditions and values of the cultures from which it originates. The meaning of a name often influences how it is perceived and can hold special significance for families choosing this name for their child.
What middle names go well with Paul?
Middle names that pair well with Paul include: Elizabeth, Alexander, Benjamin. Consider the flow and rhythm when saying the full name aloud. Names with different syllable counts often create a pleasant cadence.
What sibling names pair well with Paul?
Sibling names that pair well with Paul include: Paul-alexander, Paul-dorel, Paul-james, Paul-junior. These names share similar origins, sounds, or cultural backgrounds, creating a cohesive family naming theme.
Will teachers be able to pronounce Paul?
Most teachers will be able to pronounce Paul correctly after hearing it once or twice. It's relatively phonetic and doesn't contain unusual sound combinations. You may need to provide pronunciation guidance at the start of each school year.
What culture is the name Paul from?
Paul has a multicultural heritage, with potential roots in multiple linguistic and cultural traditions. Many names have complex etymological paths, being borrowed, adapted, and adopted across different cultures throughout history. This cultural journey often enriches the name with multiple layers of meaning and significance, reflecting the interconnected nature of human societies and their naming traditions.
Is Paul suitable for a professional career?
Paul works well professionally - it's internationally friendly for global careers. While name perception exists, professional success depends primarily on skills, work ethic, and personal qualities rather than name choice.
Is Paul a long or short name?
Paul is a very short name with 4 letters (1 syllable). Short names are easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. They work well for children who are learning to write their names.
What are common misspellings of Paul?
Common spelling variations of Paul include: Paula, Pauldo, Paule. Always verify the correct spelling with the parent.
What's the difference between Paul and Paul-alexander?
Paul and Paul-alexander are related names that share similar origins or sounds. Paul is spelled Paul while Paul-alexander is spelled Paul-alexander. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, cultural background, or family tradition.