An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.
A city, the capital of Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Pau is a boy's and girl's baby name of Catalan origin, the Catalan form of Paul — from the Latin Paulus, meaning 'small' or 'humble.' Pau is widely used in Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, and was made globally recognizable by basketball legend Pau Gasol.
Two letters, ancient roots, enormous impact — Pau proves that the smallest names can carry the greatest weight.
Pau has 20+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1989.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 110 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 267 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 34 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 6 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 | #4510 |
| 2023 | 19 | #5195 |
| 2022 | 26 | #4159 |
| 2021 | 21 | #4734 |
| 2020 | 21 | #4663 |
| 2019 | 32 | #3546 |
| 2018 | 41 | #2927 |
| 2017 | 33 | #3426 |
| 2016 | 24 | #4281 |
| 2015 | 27 | #3960 |
| 2014 | 23 | #4358 |
| 2013 | 21 | #4572 |
| 2012 | 28 | #3778 |
| 2011 | 21 | #4619 |
| 2010 | 17 | #5414 |
| 2009 | 14 | #6341 |
| 2008 | 10 | #8137 |
| 2007 | 5 | #13880 |
| 2003 | 5 | #12261 |
| 1989 | 6 | #7656 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Pau has also been given to 18 girls in the U.S. since 2017.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1989–2024) · Methodology