This is the 8672nd most frequent Russian word.
павлу
"Павлу" is the dative case of the name "Павел," meaning "to Pavel" or "for Pavel" in English.
In this sentence, "Павлу" (Pavlu) is used in the dative case, indicating the indirect object of the verb — the recipient of an action.
Я дал книгу Павлу.
I gave the book to Pavel.
Here, the name "Павлом" (Pavlom) is in the instrumental case, showing that Pavel is the one accompanying, or the fellow participant in the action.
Мы идем с Павлом в кино.
We are going to the cinema with Pavel.
In this example, "Павла" (Pavla) is in the genitive case, denoting the person for whom the gift is intended.