Paolo

♂ Boy

Pronounced PAH-oh-loh /ˈpɑː.ɔː.loʊ/High

Meaning: Small; humble; Italian form of Paul, from Latin Paulus (small, humble — originally a cognomen of the Roman gens)High

In 30 seconds: The Italian form of Paul meaning 'small' or 'humble.' Paolo is a touchstone of Italian naming — from painter Paolo Veronese to explorer Amerigo Vespucci's partner Paolo Toscanelli to the romantic hero of Dante's Inferno.

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Origin HighItalian, Latin

MeaningSmall; humble; Italian form of Paul, from Latin Paulus (small, humble — originally a cognomen of the Roman gens)

U.S. rank (2025)#2003 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births76 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,739

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Paolo is the Italian form of Paul, from Latin Paulus (small, humble). Saint Paul (Paulus of Tarsus, c.5–67 CE) spread Christianity across the Roman Empire and wrote more New Testament books than anyone else. Paolo has been a central Italian masculine name since the medieval period.

Paolo ranked #2457 for boys in 2024. It is used in Italian American communities and among families drawn to this warmly Italian form of Paul.

Did you know? Paolo is the Italian form of Paul, and its soft three-syllable sound has appeared in Italian literature, art, and music for centuries.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Paolo — Italian/Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PaulPabloPau

Nicknames

Pao

Famous Bearers

★Paolo Malatesta (Dante's Inferno) (fictional)
The romantic figure of Canto V of Dante's Inferno — condemned with Francesca da Rimini for their tragic adulterous love. Based on a historical 13th-century figure.

If you like Paolo…

Paul— the English form of the same Latin name

Pablo— the Spanish form of the same Paul root

Paulo— the Portuguese form of the same name

Gianluca— Italian masculine compound name with the same warm Mediterranean feel

Marco— Italian form of Marcus with the same classic Italian character

Explore names like Paolo

By themelatin italian three-syllable renaissance

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Paolo mean?

Paolo means 'small' or 'humble,' the Italian form of Paul, from Latin Paulus.

How do you pronounce Paolo?

It's said PAH-oh-loh /ˈpɑː.ɔː.loʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Paolo a boy or girl name?

Paolo is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Paolo?

Paolo ranked #2457 for U.S. boys in 2024.