Paul is a popular given name of Latin origin that means "small" or "humble." It comes from the Roman family name Paulus, which was derived from the Latin word "paulus" meaning "little" or "short." The name Paul became widely used in Europe during the Middle Ages due to its association with Saint Paul the Apostle, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity. Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals named Paul, including several saints and prominent historical figures such as the apostle himself, who was born Saul of Tarsus but became known by his Roman name Paul after converting to Christianity. Today, Paul remains a popular choice for boys' names around the world, with its simple yet timeless meaning making it appealing to parents across different cultures and generations.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the popularity of the name Paul among babies born in the United States from 1884 to 2006.
From 1884 to 1927, there was a steady increase in the number of births with the name Paul. In fact, during this period, there were only five years (1885, 1886, 1890, 1892, and 1897) where fewer than ten babies were named Paul.
The peak of popularity for the name Paul occurred between 1927 and 1932. During these years, the number of births with the name Paul reached triple digits each year, with a maximum of 123 births in 1928. This period marked a significant increase in the use of the name Paul among parents.
However, starting from 1933, there was a steady decline in the popularity of the name Paul. Between 1933 and 2006, there were only three years (1954, 1957, and 1989) where more than one hundred babies were named Paul.
Interestingly, even though the number of births with the name Paul has decreased significantly since its peak in the late 1920s, it is still being used today. Between 2003 and 2006, there were five to nine births each year with the name Paul.
In conclusion, based on these statistics, we can see that the popularity of the name Paul has fluctuated over time in the United States. While it was quite popular during the early to mid-20th century, its use has significantly decreased since then. However, even today, parents still choose the name Paul for their newborns.