Boy Name · Italian Origin
Paolo
Paolo means “Small”. It is a boy's name of Italian origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning recorded for Paul, the attested base form. English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Paolo — a boy name from the Italian tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Small", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Paulo is on your shortlist, Paolo belongs in the same conversation.
Paolo meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Small
Origin: Italian naming roots help connect Paolo to related Italian baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Paolo as P·A·O·L·O, with 5 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Paolo is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Paolo variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Paoloa, Paoloe, Paoloy, Paol.
- Nicknames: Pao and P.
- Middle names: Pair Paolo with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Paolo middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Paulo, Paula, Paul, Paola, Pollie — full picks on the sibling names for Paolo guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Paolo? Browse our names like Paolo guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Paolo
What does the name Paolo mean?
Paolo means "Small" and is of Italian origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Paolo is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Paolo?
Paolo originates in Italian naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Paolo?
Paolo has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Paolo a boy's or girl's name?
Paolo is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Paolo in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Paolo sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Paolo?
Names that share Paolo's sound and style include Paulo, Paula, Paul, Paola, Pollie.
What middle names pair well with Paolo?
Good middle-name fits for Paolo pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Paolo is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Paolo is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Paolo?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Paolo share its rhythm without rhyming — Paulo, Paula, Paul all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.