Paul
Meaning: Small but mighty — humble strength and greatness
Origin: Latin
Gender: Boy
Rank in Ireland: #7
Total births: 34,465
History: Paul became hugely popular in Ireland from the 1960s onward, coinciding with devotion to Pope Paul VI and the modernising spirit of Vatican II. Irish Pauls have excelled in sport, with Paul McGrath becoming one of the most beloved footballers in Irish history during Italia '90. Paul Muldoon from County Armagh won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. The name peaked in the 1970s when it seemed every classroom in Dublin and beyond had at least two Pauls.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Ireland’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2025) | #286 |
| Babies named Paul in 2025 | 15 |
| Total recorded in Ireland | 34,465 |
| Peak year | 1964 (1,814 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #3 |
| Years in records | 1964–2025 (62 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 121 spots |
Frequently asked about Paul
What does the name Paul mean?
Paul means “Small but mighty — humble strength and greatness” from Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Paul?
Paul has Latin origin. The traditional meaning is “Small but mighty — humble strength and greatness”.
How popular is Paul in Ireland?
Paul ranked #286 in Ireland in 2025 — given to 15 babies that year.
When was Paul most popular?
Paul peaked in 1964 with 1,814 babies registered that year in Ireland.
Is Paul a boy or girl name?
Paul is predominantly a boys' name in Ireland — over 90% of Pauls in registered births are male.
Is the name Paul rising or falling in popularity?
Paul has fallen 121 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Ireland — from #165 in 2020 to #286 in 2025.
How long has Paul been recorded in Ireland?
Paul appears in birth records in Ireland across 62 years — from 1964 through 2025.