Character Name
Paul
Paul Paul carries the apostolic seriousness of its New Testament origins softened into French everyday usage as a name of steady, reliable masculinity. In French literature, the name often belongs to men of genuine feeling and quiet moral purpose — from Bernardin de Saint-Pierre's idealized young lover to the Symbolist poet Paul Verlaine's tortured introspection. It suits stories across the full range of French literary settings.
Best genres for Paul
Famous characters named Paul
Paul
Paul et Virginie — Bernardin de Saint-Pierre
The noble-hearted young man raised alongside Virginie in tropical Mauritius, whose pure love and grief at her death became emblematic of French Romantic sensibility.
Variations & nicknames
Pairs well with
Writing a character named Paul?
Hearth's distraction-free editor helps you develop characters and write every day.
Related names
More French names
Marthe
“Marthe is the French feminine form of Martha, from the Aramaic Marta meaning "mistress, lady of the house" — the feminine form of mar meaning "lord, master". In the New Testament, Martha of Bethany — sister of Mary and Lazarus — represents the active life of practical service, famously contrasted with her sister Mary's contemplative listening. The name has been used in France since the early Christian era and was a common 20th-century name.”
Andre
“André is a French masculine given name, the French form of Andrew, from the Greek Andreas derived from aner meaning "man, warrior". The Apostle Andrew (Saint André), patron saint of Scotland, Russia, and Greece, gave the name wide European distribution. In France, André has been one of the classic masculine names, carried by writers, artists, and soldiers — including the Resistance hero André Malraux and the poet André Breton.”
Manon
“Manon is a French feminine given name, a diminutive of Marie (Mary), from the Hebrew Miriam — possibly meaning "beloved", "wished-for child", or "bitterness". The -on diminutive suffix gives it the warm, intimate character of a pet name elevated to a full given name. Its most famous literary bearer is the heroine of Abbé Prévost's novel Manon Lescaut (1731), and the name was further immortalized by Massenet's opera.”
Nicolas
“Nicolas is the French and Spanish masculine form of Nicholas, from the Greek Nikolaos — composed of nike meaning "victory" and laos meaning "people" — thus "victory of the people". Saint Nicholas of Myra (the original Santa Claus) made the name one of the most beloved in medieval Christendom. In France, Nicolas is a classic masculine name with particular associations with children through the popular Petit Nicolas book series.”
Maurice
“Maurice is a French masculine given name derived from the Latin Mauritius — itself from Maurus meaning "dark-skinned" or "from Mauretania" (North Africa). Saint Maurice, the Roman soldier and Christian martyr executed near the Rhône in 286 AD, became patron of numerous French cities and gave the name its medieval prestige. Maurice is a classic French name, borne by the composer Maurice Ravel and the philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty.”
Suzanne
“Suzanne is the French form of Susanna, from the Hebrew Shoshana meaning "lily" or "rose". The biblical Susanna — the virtuous woman falsely accused by two elders in the Book of Daniel — gave the name its moral resonance. In France, Suzanne became famous through Beaumarchais's The Marriage of Figaro, whose resourceful heroine Suzanne is the opera's most intelligent character, outsmarting the Count with wit and dignity.”
Explore more