Paul in Chinese
Paul in Chinese is 保罗 (Bǎo Luó).
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- small, humble
The name traces back to Latin sources, where it is usually explained as "small, humble". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s.
3 ways to write Paul
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
保罗
Bǎo Luó
The standard transliteration of Paul: 保 (bǎo, "to protect, keep"), 罗 (luó, "net; gauze"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 1-syllable English name is spread over 2 characters: 保 bǎo + 罗 luó. The tone contour is 3-2 (dipping, rising).
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 保
bǎo
Tone 3 · 9 strokes (simplified)
to protect, keep
- 罗
luó
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
net; gauze
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
浩宇
Hào Yǔ
Inspired by "small, humble": 浩 (hào, "vast, grand") + 宇 (yǔ, "universe; eaves"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Paul's meaning ("small, humble") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 浩 (vast, grand) and 宇 (universe; eaves) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 浩
hào
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
vast, grand
- 宇
yǔ
Tone 3 · 6 strokes (simplified)
universe; eaves
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
保子
Bǎo Zǐ
保 (bǎo, "to protect, keep") + 子 (zǐ, "son, child; master (honorific)"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 保 (bǎo), the same opening character as the transliteration 保罗, for the "paul" sound, and replaces the rest with 子 ("son, child; master (honorific)") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 保
bǎo
Tone 3 · 9 strokes (simplified)
to protect, keep
- 子
zǐ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
son, child; master (honorific)
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 1,386,815 boys named Paul since 1880, with the high point in 1957 (26,983 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #49 to #225 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1957
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,386,815
More About Paul in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Paul offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Paul, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Bryan in Chinese, Hunter in Chinese, and Jesse in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Jackson in Chinese, Jack in Chinese, and Travis in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Paul, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Paul to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Paul translated into Chinese?
保罗 (Bǎo Luó), or 保羅 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 保罗 have?
17 strokes in simplified form and 28 in traditional; per character: 保 9, 罗 8.
Is there a Chinese name for Paul with real meaning?
Try 浩宇 (Hào Yǔ): vast, grand + universe; eaves, inspired by "small, humble". For something that still sounds like Paul, 保子 (Bǎo Zǐ) is a middle ground.