Famous People Named Paul: A Comprehensive List

From Artists and Athletes to Politicians and Pioneers

The name Paul is a common and respected one, gracing the annals of history with a vast array of influential figures. From the legendary Beatles musician to the iconic Pope, this article presents a comprehensive list of famous individuals named Paul, spanning diverse fields and eras.

Artists

Paul McCartney

• British musician, singer, and songwriter; member of the Beatles
• Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997
• Has sold over 100 million records worldwide

Paul Gauguin

• French painter and sculptor; Post-Impressionist artist
• Known for his vibrant and exotic works inspired by Tahiti
• His paintings have been sold for millions of dollars at auction

Paul Cézanne

• French painter; Post-Impressionist artist
• Famous for his still lifes, landscapes, and portraits
• His work has influenced numerous modern artists, including Pablo Picasso

Athletes

Paul Pogba

• French professional soccer player
• World Cup winner with France in 2018
• Plays for Manchester United and the French national team

Paul George

• American professional basketball player
• Seven-time NBA All-Star
• Plays for the Los Angeles Clippers

Paul Rodriguez

• American professional skateboarder
• X Games gold medalist
• Founded Primitive Skateboards, a leading streetwear brand

Politicians

Paul Kagame

• President of Rwanda since 2000
• Led the country's recovery and reconciliation after the 1994 genocide
• Has been praised for his economic reforms and social progress

Paul Ryan

• American politician; former Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Served from 2015 to 2019
• Known for his conservative fiscal policies

Paul Keating

• Australian politician; Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996
• Introduced sweeping economic reforms and social policies
• Coined the term "the Asian Century"

Pioneers

Paul Revere

• American silversmith and patriot
• Famous for his "Midnight Ride" during the American Revolution
• Warned colonists of the approaching British troops

Paul Dirac

• British physicist; Nobel Prize laureate in Physics in 1933
• Developed the Dirac equation, which describes the behavior of electrons
• His work has had a profound impact on quantum mechanics

Paul Allen

• American entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates
• Founded the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence

Religious Leaders

Pope Paul VI

• Pope from 1963 to 1978
• Led the Second Vatican Council, which introduced major reforms to the Catholic Church
• Beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2014

Paul, the Apostle

• Christian apostle; one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus
• Known as the "Apostle to the Gentiles"
• His writings, known as the Pauline epistles, have had a profound impact on Christianity

Paul Tillich

• German-American philosopher and theologian
• Professor at Harvard University and the University of Chicago
• Known for his existentialist and personalist approach to religion

Other Notable Figures

Paul Newman

• American actor; Academy Award winner
• Known for his roles in "Cool Hand Luke," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and "The Color of Money"
• Founded the Paul Newman's Own food and beverage company

Paul Krugman

• American economist; Nobel Prize laureate in Economics in 2008
• Writes for The New York Times as a columnist
• Known for his progressive views on economics

Paul Rand

• American graphic designer
• Known for his iconic logos and corporate identities for brands such as UPS, IBM, and ABC
• His work has influenced generations of designers

Additional Information

Popularity of the Name Paul

• According to the Social Security Administration, Paul has been consistently ranked among the top 100 most popular names for boys in the United States since the 1900s.
• In the United Kingdom, Paul was the most popular name for boys born in the 1950s and 1960s.

Notable Surnames

• Famous people named Paul with notable surnames include:

  • Paul McCartney (Beatles musician, born James Paul McCartney)
  • Paul Newman (actor, born Paul Leonard Newman)
  • Paul Rodriguez (skateboarder, born Paul Vincent Rodriguez Jr.)

Related Words

• Pauline (feminine form of Paul)
• Paolo (Italian form of Paul)
• Pablo (Spanish form of Paul)
• Pavel (Russian form of Paul)

Conclusion

The name Paul has graced the pages of history with a remarkable array of famous individuals, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields. From legendary artists to influential politicians, from pioneering scientists to religious leaders, this list celebrates the diversity and impact of those who have carried the name Paul.