paulus

Paulus is the Latin form of the given name Paul. It derives from the Latin adjective Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble,” and has ancient roots in the Roman world. The name became prominent in the Christian tradition, where it was used in Latin-language texts and liturgy and gave rise to modern forms such as Paul (English and French), Paolo (Italian), Pablo (Spanish), and Pavel (Slavic languages).

The most famous bearer of the name is Saint Paul the Apostle, a central figure in early Christianity. In Latin, he is known as Paulus. He is credited with shaping Christian theology through his epistles and with extensive missionary work among early Christian communities. His prominence in Christian writings helped entrench Paulus as a respected Latin form in religious and scholarly contexts.

In later centuries, Paulus has remained common as a male given name in German- and Dutch-speaking regions, where it continues to appear alongside other forms of Paul. It has also been used as a Latinized name for ecclesiastical figures, including several popes who were styled Paulus in Latin, such as Paulus II and Paulus III.

Beyond religious and regional usage, Paulus functions as a cultural form that reflects the historical influence of Latin on European naming traditions. While many languages favor the form Paul in everyday use, Paulus persists in liturgical, academic, and traditional contexts and as a historical or formal variant in various texts.