Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name Paul.
National Rank (2025)
#262
All-Time Peak Rank
#12 (1916)
Total U.S. Births
1,398,293
Unisex Distribution99.6% Boy / 0.4% GirlBalance: Overwhelmingly Male
💡 The Paul Vibe: This choice is considered a Perennial Favorite. A historic staple that has maintained dominant national popularity for over half a century.
📖 The Story Behind Paul
According to SSA data, Paul achieved its highest historical rank of #12 in 1916. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1957 with 27,012 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 35.2%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.
📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)
Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name Paul scaled historically over the last century:
5-Year Trajectory Velocity
Stable
10-Year Decadal Shift Change
-35.2% Decline
18801920196020002025
📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility
Busiest Year on Record27,012Births in 1957
Years in Top 100
121yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
146Years
Historical VolatilityModerately Volatile
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s:4,196
1890s:8,181
1900s:12,636
1910s:78,216
1920s:132,384
1930s:125,774
1940s:183,364
1950s:253,202
1960s:242,503
1970s:136,390
1980s:104,397
1990s:58,931
2000s:30,964
2010s:19,030
2020s:8,125
📐 Sound & Spelling Structure
Phonetic SyllablesPaul
Letter Count4 Letters
Spelling ComplexityEasy
Linguistic Profile Narrative: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 1.4% of SSA names. Starts with P, a letter used by only 1.6% of SSA names.
🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine
Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with Paul? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:
BabyNameAnalytics