Paulinho

Paulinho is a Portuguese-language nickname meaning “little Paul,” formed from the given name Paulo. It is commonly used as a diminutive or stage name in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking areas, and can be adopted by individuals as a casual or professional identifier.

In football, Paulinho is best known as the nickname of Anderson Luís de Souza, born in 1988, a Brazilian midfielder who has played for clubs including Corinthians, Tottenham Hotspur, Guangzhou Evergrande, and Barcelona, and who has represented the Brazil national team. The name is also used by other footballers and public figures in Brazil, reflecting its popularity as a familiar form of Paulo.

Outside football, Paulinho appears as a stage name for artists such as Paulinho da Viola, a Brazilian samba musician and composer. The use of Paulinho across different fields illustrates the common practice of adopting shortened, affectionate forms of given names in Brazilian culture.

The name’s usage highlights cultural patterns in Portuguese-speaking countries, where diminutives are widely employed in both everyday speech and professional identities. Paulinho, in its various instances, thus serves as a recognizable nickname and, for some individuals, a distinct public persona.