Paulson

Paulson is a surname of patronymic origin, meaning "son of Paul." The given name Paul derives from the Latin Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble." The suffix -son is a common feature in Scandinavian and English-language naming traditions, yielding variants such as Paulson and Paulsen in different regions.

Henry M. Paulson Jr. (born 1946), known as Hank Paulson, is an American financier and former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (2006–2009) under President George W. Bush. He previously served as chief executive of Goldman Sachs from 1999 to 2006, and after leaving government led various international policy and philanthropic initiatives.

John Paulson (born 1955) is an American investor and founder of Paulson & Co., a hedge fund management firm. He gained prominence for large profits from betting against the U.S. housing market during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, a move that significantly increased his personal fortune and influence in financial markets.

Other notable uses of the name include the Paulson Institute, a nonpartisan research institution affiliated with the University of Chicago that focuses on U.S.–China relations and environmental policy, named for Henry M. Paulson Jr.; and the hedge fund Paulson & Co., founded by John Paulson.