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Name Lineage

    The first name Paolo

    A boy’s name from Italian.

    2 syllables Male

    Meaning and origin

    Italian origin

    Borrowed from Italian Paolo. Doublet of Paul.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 7 boys were named Paolo, making it the 2,952nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2002, with 25 births (#753).

    01530 1996200020052010201520202025
    439
    babies named Paolo, 1996–2025
    #2,952
    rank in 2025
    2002
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Paolo with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Paolo at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 76 boys born in the United States were named Paolo, the 2,003rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2007, when 119 were.

    0100200 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    3,739
    babies named Paolo since 1880
    #2,003
    rank in 2025
    2007
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Paolo

    38 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli
      Florentine astronomer, 1397–1482
    • Paolo Bacigalupi
      American science fiction and fantasy writer, born 1972
    • Paolo Banchero
      American basketball player (born 2002)
    • Paolo Renier
      119th, and penultimate, Doge of Venice
    • Paolo Magnani
      Catholic bishop ( 1926-2023)
    • Paolo Quinteros
      Argentine basketball player (born 1979)
    • Paolo Marella
      Apostolic nuncio and cardinal (1895–1984)
    • Paolo Dezza
      Catholic cardinal (1901–1999)
    • Paolo Gregoletto
      American bassist, born 1985
    • Paolo Vidoz
      Boxer, born 1970
    • Paolo Iashvili
      Georgian poet (1894-1937)
    • Paolo Goltz
      Argentine footballer, born 1985

    More Italian boys’ names

    All 80 names of Italian origin

    Questions

    What does the name Paolo mean?
    Borrowed from Italian Paolo. Doublet of Paul.
    What is the origin of the name Paolo?
    Borrowed from Italian Paolo. Doublet of Paul.
    How popular is the name Paolo?
    In 2025, 7 boys born in England and Wales were named Paolo, ranking 2,952nd. Its peak was 2002, with 25 births.
    Is Paolo a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 3,739 US babies named Paolo since 1880 were boys.
    When was Paolo most popular?
    2007 in the United States, when 119 babies were named Paolo, its highest rank at 1,383rd.