Paul | Name Meaning & Origin

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St Paul was an early Christian missionary. Originally a persecutor of Christians named Saul, who witnessed the stoning of Stephen, he was converted whilst on the road to Damascus, prompting a name change. Paul travelled throughout the Mediterranean teaching the word of God, and wrote many letters - some of which are found within the New Testament. Eventually he was arrested, though it is not known whether or not he was martyred.

Paul has been the name used by six Catholic Popes, as well as two John Pauls. Paul was the name of the emperor of Russia at the turn of the 19th century, being the son of Catherine the Great.

Other famous bearers of the name Paul include singer Paul McCartney, actor Paul Newman, singer Paul Simon and former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. Famous literary Pauls include Lumberjack and Folktale hero Paul Bunyan, a character in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series of books and in the classic cult novel, Dune, by Frank Herbert the main character Paul Maud Dib, is both a hero and an anti-hero.