When was Paul most popular?

The name Paul reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Paul Shay?

The name Paul Shay combines two different traditions: the first name Paul has Latin roots, while the surname Shay originates from Hebrew.

Paul Shay — 1.4 million & 9K bearers

Paul Shay is a name that combines Latin origins. The first name Paul is a masculine given name of Latin origin. From the Latin Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble." The apostle Paul was the most influential early Christian missionary. The surname Shay: Shay is primarily a Hebrew unisex name, meaning 'gift', deriving as a variation of Shai. Shay is also an Irish Gaelic name, a variant of the family name Shea. It is derived from O'Shea, which is anglicized from Ó Séaghdha. Paul is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 1.4 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Paul reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Paul

Meaning: humble

Latin

From the Latin Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble." The apostle Paul was the most influential early Christian missionary.

Surname: Shay

Hebrew

Shay is primarily a Hebrew unisex name, meaning 'gift', deriving as a variation of Shai. Shay is also an Irish Gaelic name, a variant of the family name Shea. It is derived from O'Shea, which is anglicized from Ó Séaghdha.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Paul is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 34%

Italy 15%

Spain 12%

Brazil 17%

France 10%

Mexico 12%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Paul by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Name Variants & Related Names

The name Paul has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

Paolo
Pablo
Pavel
Paulus
Pol

Notable People Named Paul Shay

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Paul Shay:

4

Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

5

Soul Urge Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

8

Personality Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Paul?: The first name Paul originates from Latin. From the Latin Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble." The apostle Paul was the most influential early Christian missionary.
When was Paul most popular?: The name Paul reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Shay?: The surname Shay originates from Hebrew. Shay is primarily a Hebrew unisex name, meaning 'gift', deriving as a variation of Shai. Shay is also an Irish Gaelic name, a variant of the family name Shea. It is derived from O'Shea, which is anglicized from Ó Séaghdha.
What are the origins of the name Paul Shay?: The name Paul Shay combines two different traditions: the first name Paul has Latin roots, while the surname Shay originates from Hebrew.