Pawel is a name of Polish origin, derived from the Slavic element "pavlo," which means "small." It has been a popular name in Poland and other Slavic countries for centuries.
The name Pawel first appears in history with Saint Paul the Apostle, who was one of the most prominent figures in early Christianity. He is often referred to as simply "Paul" in the New Testament, but his original Hebrew name was Saul, which means "asked for." After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he took on the Roman name Paul, which has since been associated with him and spread throughout Christian communities.
In Poland, the name Pawel gained popularity during the Middle Ages. It was often given to boys born around Easter time, as the name sounded similar to "Pawel," which means "Easter" in Polish. This tradition continued into modern times, making Pawel one of the most common male names in Poland today.
The name Pawel has also been used by several notable figures throughout history. Perhaps the most famous was Paweł Włodkowic (1370-1435), a diplomat and philosopher who played an important role in the Union of Krewo, which united Poland with Lithuania to create one of Europe's largest medieval states.
In recent years, Pawel has gained international recognition as more people become familiar with Polish culture and history. It is now considered a strong, distinctive name that carries a rich heritage from its Slavic roots. While it may still be less common in some countries compared to other names like John or Michael, Pawel remains an appealing choice for parents looking for a unique yet meaningful name for their child.
In conclusion, Pawel is a name of Polish origin with a rich history and significance dating back to ancient times. It has been carried by prominent figures throughout history and continues to be popular today, particularly in Poland and other Slavic countries. As an increasingly recognized international name, Pawel offers parents an attractive option for their children that combines uniqueness with cultural heritage.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Pawel has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States.
The name first appeared with 5 births in 1980, showing an initial presence but not widespread usage. The following year saw a slight increase with 10 births in 1981. However, there was some fluctuation in popularity in the subsequent years, with numbers ranging from 7 to 12 births annually until 1989.
The late 1980s and early 1990s marked a significant rise in the popularity of the name Pawel, with a peak of 29 births in 1994. This trend continued throughout most of the 1990s, although there was another decline towards the end of the decade.
The first decade of the 21st century saw a further decrease in the popularity of the name Pawel, with numbers ranging from 7 to 16 births annually between 2000 and 2008. There was a slight resurgence in popularity in 2009 with 15 births, but this did not last long as the numbers dropped again afterwards.
Overall, the total number of births with the name Pawel in the United States from 1980 to 2016 is 449. Despite some fluctuations in popularity over the years, these statistics show that the name has had a consistent presence in the country during this time period.