Skip to main content
    Biblical Name · Latin (Paulus) Origin

    Paul Meaning in the Bible

    Paul

    boy

    Paul means "Small; Humble", a boy's name of Latin (Paulus) origin. Paul appears in the King James Bible, and Acts 9:15 is the passage most often tied to it. Paul's name — meaning 'humble' — reflects the posture of a man who counted everything as loss compared to knowing Christ. His radical transformation reminds us that no past is too dark for God's redeeming grace.

    Is Paul in the Bible?

    Yes — Paul appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.

    Pronunciation:/PAWL/
    OriginLatin (Paulus)
    MeaningSmall; Humble
    What does Paul mean?

    Paul is a boy name of Latin (Paulus) origin meaning "Small; Humble". Paul means "small" or "humble" in Latin. Originally named Saul, this former persecutor of Christians experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus and became the greatest missionary and theologian in church history.

    Which Bible Character Are You?

    Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.

    One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.

    Take the quiz

    What does Paul mean in the Bible?

    Paul means "Small; Humble" and is a name of Latin (Paulus) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.

    Paul means "small" or "humble" in Latin. Originally named Saul, this former persecutor of Christians experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus and became the greatest missionary and theologian in church history.

    Paul authored thirteen epistles that form the backbone of Christian theology, covering salvation by grace through faith, the nature of the church, spiritual gifts, and practical Christian living. His missionary journeys spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire.

    Paul endured extraordinary hardships for the faith — shipwrecks, imprisonments, beatings, and ultimately martyrdom. Yet he declared, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). His life proves that God's grace can transform anyone.

    Where does Paul appear in the Bible (KJV)?

    Paul is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Acts 9:15. Each verse is quoted in full below.

    "He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel."
    "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

    Take the KJV Bible with You

    Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.

    Download Free KJV PDF

    What are the variants and nicknames of Paul?

    Paul has 4 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.

    Variants & related forms

    Pauly
    Pablo
    Paolo
    Saul

    Who was Paul in the Bible?

    Paul is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.

    Read About Paul in the Bible

    Which books of the Bible mention Paul?

    Paul is mentioned across 7 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.

    What is the spiritual meaning of Paul?

    Paul's name — meaning 'humble' — reflects the posture of a man who counted everything as loss compared to knowing Christ. His radical transformation reminds us that no past is too dark for God's redeeming grace.

    Related Promises of God

    Promises connected to the meaning of the name Paul:

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    What names are related to Paul?

    Names that pair well with Paul

    Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.

    Share the meaning of Paul

    Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.

    Paul name meaning: frequently asked questions

    Yes — Paul appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.

    Paul means "Small; Humble." It is a Latin (Paulus) name. The King James Bible uses it, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.

    Latin (Paulus). Paul comes into English from Latin (Paulus) and carries the sense "Small; Humble." It appears in the King James Bible.

    Common questions about the name Paul

    Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Paul?

    Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.

    Where can I read the full biblical context for Paul?

    You can read every verse where Paul appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.