Paul shows up 61 times in the male-leaning pet registry at rank 1678. It's one of the most straightforwardly human names in this batch — a single syllable, unadorned, no ironic distance, no character reference. At this tier of the registry almost certainly reflects owners who simply named their dog after a person they love, a family member, a friend, or sometimes just a Beatle.
The Name and Its Weight
Paul comes from the Latin Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble" — originally a Roman family name. The Apostle Paul transformed Christianity's reach in the first century; Paul McCartney transformed popular music in the twentieth. Both associations are active in how English speakers hear the name. On a dog, Paul reads as either a tribute name or a deadpan joke depending on the breed and the owner's demeanor. John and George are the obvious Beatle companions in the registry.
The Paperwork Artifact Question
At rank 1678 with 61 records, Paul in the registry is almost certainly a mix of intentional choices and licensing forms where owners wrote a human name they use for the dog affectionately without much ceremony. The name is not a pet-naming trend; it's a personal choice that bypasses trends entirely. French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers frequently get un-ironic human names that reflect genuine affection.
The Counter-Read
Paul on a dog is the naming equivalent of wearing a plain white t-shirt — it makes a statement by refusing to make one. Some people love it; some find it anticlimactic. The owner tends to be someone who doesn't need their naming choice explained.