Pablo is a masculine given name derived from the Roman family name Paulinus, which is itself a diminutive form of the name Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble" in Latin. The name Paulus stems from the ancient Roman gens Paulla, one of the most distinguished families in the Roman Republic.

The name Pablo gained widespread popularity through Saint Paul the Apostle, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity. Saint Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, played a significant role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire after his conversion on the road to Damascus, as recorded in the New Testament.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pablo can be found in the 9th century, when a Benedictine monk named Pablo de Santa María lived in the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla in the Kingdom of Navarre, present-day Spain. This early use of the name reflects its deep roots in the Iberian Peninsula.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Pablo. One of the most famous was Pablo Picasso, the renowned Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, and co-founder of the Cubist movement. Born in 1881 in Malaga, Spain, Picasso's revolutionary artistic style and prolific body of work have had a profound influence on modern art.

Another prominent figure named Pablo was Pablo Neruda, the Chilean poet, diplomat, and political activist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Neruda, born in 1904 as Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto, is celebrated for his passionate love poems and his profound exploration of political and social themes.

In the realm of religion, Pablo de Santa María, also known as Solomon Levi, was a influential figure in 15th-century Spain. Born a Jew in 1351, he converted to Christianity and became a prominent theologian, writer, and Bishop of Burgos, playing a significant role in the persecution of Jews in Spain.

Pablo Escobar, the notorious Colombian drug lord and narco-terrorist, was another notable figure with the name. Born in 1949, Escobar headed the Medellín Cartel and became one of the wealthiest criminals in history, amassing a vast fortune from the production and distribution of cocaine.

Finally, Pablo Picasso's grandson, Pablo Picasso Jr., born in 1949, was a successful car designer and entrepreneur who founded the Picasso line of luxury vehicles, showcasing his family's artistic legacy in the automotive industry.