Meaning and history
Paweł is the Polish form of Paul, from the Roman family name Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble” in Latin. The name’s major Christian significance comes from Saint Paul the Apostle, whose letters form a substantial part of the New Testament and whose missionary work shaped early Christianity. The Polish letter ł is pronounced roughly like English w, so the name differs in sound from its spelling to English readers. Notable bearers include Polish footballer Paweł Brożek and filmmaker Paweł Pawlikowski, an Academy Award-winning director.