poulos

Poulos is a surname of Greek origin found among people of Greek descent. It is one of several Greek family names formed with the patronymic suffix -poulos, which indicates descent or lineage.

The form arises from the Greek patronymic suffix -poulos, meaning "descendant of" or "son of." It is commonly attached to the stem of a given name, and the most familiar root is Pavlos (Paul), which in longer form can generate related surnames such as Pavlopoulos. The standalone surname Poulos can appear as a shortened or regional variant in its own right.

Geographically, Poulos is most prevalent in Greece and among Greek diaspora communities, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Western Europe. Variant spellings include Poulos and Poulos, reflecting transliteration differences from Greek to Latin scripts.

As with many Greek surnames, different family lines bearing the name Poulos may not be closely related, and bearers can come from diverse regional and historical backgrounds. The name is typically passed patrilineally and can be found across a range of occupations and social strata.

Notable individuals with this surname have contributed to various fields such as sports, academia, and the arts. The name also appears in literature and media, reflecting the broader presence of Greek heritage in global contexts.

See also Pavlopoulos, a related surname formed from the same root with the -poulos patronymic suffix.