Paula
“small”
Latin origin · Unisex name
#707US 2023
401Births / yr
↑Rising
280kAll-time births
📅 Since 1880🏆 32 years in top 1000.5% of births at peak
How to pronounce Paula
PAW·luh
/ˈpɔ.lə/ · stress on PAW · 2 syllables
“small”
Latin origin · Unisex name
What does Paula mean and where does it come from?
Paula is derived from the Latin name 'Paulus', which means 'small' or 'humble'. The name has been widely used in various forms across many cultures. It first appeared in historical texts around the 4th century. In Spain and Latin America, Paula has been quite popular and is often associated with not
Cultural significance
Paula has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Latin-speaking communities, where it reflects values of latin.
Peak popularity
Reached #38 in 1954 — currently #707 in the US.
What middle names flow best with Paula?
Paula works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Paula Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Paula Rose
Floral · soft ending
Paula Mae
Sweet · timeless
Paula Claire
French influence · crisp
Paula Jane
Literary · strong
Paula Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Paula right now?
Rising fast — up 99 spots — currently #707 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Paula
Paula has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. Its peak popularity was #38 in 1954. More than 279,953 babies have been named Paula since 1880. Paula is used for both genders: 100% female and 0% male.
Names that peaked alongside Paula in 1954:
Paula by decade
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 178 | |
| 1890s | 424 | |
| 1900s | 666 | |
| 1910s | 2,027 | |
| 1920s | 4,564 | |
| 1930s | 8,908 | |
| 1940s | 39,148 | |
| 1950s ★ | 85,026 | |
| 1960s | 80,697 | |
| 1970s | 32,869 | |
| 1980s | 11,191 | |
| 1990s | 6,384 | |
| 2000s | 4,216 | |
| 2010s | 3,321 | |
| 2020s | 334 |
What are good nicknames for Paula?
CROATIAN
Pavica
ENGLISH
Pauletta
FRENCH
Paulette
PORTUGUESE
Paulinha
Famous people named Paula
P(
Paula (Roman senator or statesman)
Paula held this name during the height of Roman civilization, when Latin names spread across Europe.
What names sound and feel like Paula?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Paula also consider these
How is Paula written in other languages?
Gender variants of Paula
Pal ALBANIANPali ALBANIANPavli ALBANIANPaulus ANCIENT ROMANBoulos ARABICBulus ARABICBoghos ARMENIANPoghos ARMENIANPaulos BIBLICAL GREEKPaulus BIBLICAL LATINPaul BIBLICALPaol BRETONPavel BULGARIANPau CATALANPol CATALANPaulu CORSICANPavao CROATIANPavle CROATIANPavo CROATIANPavel CZECHPalle DANISHPaul DANISHPoul DANISHPaul DUTCHPauwel DUTCHPaul ENGLISHPaulie ENGLISHPaĉjo ESPERANTOPaŭlo ESPERANTOPaavo ESTONIANPáll FAROESEPaavali FINNISHPaavo FINNISHPauli FINNISHPaul FRENCHPaulo GALICIANPavle GEORGIANPaul GERMANPavlos GREEKPál HUNGARIANPáll ICELANDICPól IRISHPaolo ITALIANPāvils LATVIANPaulius LITHUANIANPavel MACEDONIANPavle MACEDONIANPaora MAORIPål NORWEGIANPaul NORWEGIANPau OCCITANPavelu OLD CHURCH SLAVICPaweł POLISHPaulinho PORTUGUESEPaulo PORTUGUESEPaul ROMANIANPasha RUSSIANPavel RUSSIANPàulu SARDINIANPàl SCOTTISHPòl SCOTTISHPavle SERBIANPavol SLOVAKPavel SLOVENEPablo SPANISHPål SWEDISHPaul SWEDISHPavlo UKRAINIANPaulina ANCIENT ROMANPaulinus ANCIENT ROMANPolina BULGARIANPolya BULGARIANPavlina CZECHPauline DANISHLien DUTCHPaulien DUTCHLina ENGLISHPauleen ENGLISHPaulene ENGLISHPaulina ENGLISHPauline ENGLISHPauliina FINNISHPauline FRENCHPauline GERMANLina ITALIANPaolina ITALIANPaolino ITALIANPaulina LITHUANIANPavlina MACEDONIANPauline NORWEGIANPaulina POLISHPaulina PORTUGUESEPaulino PORTUGUESEPolina RUSSIANPaulína SLOVAKPavlina SLOVENEPaulina SPANISHPaulino SPANISHPaulina SWEDISHPauline SWEDISHPolina UKRAINIAN
Common questions about the name Paula
What does the name Paula mean?
Paula means "Latin" — a name rooted in Latin tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Paula?
Paula is currently ranked #707 as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Paula have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Paula?
Paula originates from Latin tradition. Latin names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Paula?
Paula is a two-syllable name pronounced P AO1 L AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Paula trending right now?
Paula is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.
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