Find out how popular the first name Paula has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Paula by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Paula is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Paula being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 400 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Paula.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby boys were named Paula in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Paula

The name Paula is a feminine given name derived from the ancient Roman family name Paulinus, which itself comes from the Roman name Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble" in Latin. The name Paulus was derived from the Latin word "paulus", meaning "little".

Paula emerged as a distinct name in its own right during the Middle Ages, particularly in Southern Europe. It was commonly used among Christians, as it was borne by several early saints and martyrs. One of the earliest notable individuals with this name was Saint Paula of Rome, a 4th-century Roman widow who founded several monasteries in Bethlehem.

The name gained popularity across Europe during the Roman era and the Middle Ages. It was particularly common in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France. In the 9th century, the Frankish theologian and historian Paulinus of Aquileia wrote extensively about the life of Paulinus of Nola, a 5th-century Roman poet and bishop who took the name Paula.

As the name spread across Europe, it took on various spellings and forms, such as Paola, Pauline, and Paulette. One of the most famous individuals named Paula was the Italian Renaissance poet and philosopher Paula da Gambara (1463-1505), who was celebrated for her literary works and intellectual prowess.

Another notable Paula was the Spanish noblewoman Paula de Benavides (1468-1508), who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Isabella I of Castile. In the 16th century, the Italian poet and playwright Paula Antonia Negri (1508-1555) gained recognition for her literary contributions.

During the 17th century, the name was particularly popular in England, where it was often spelled as Paulina. One prominent figure was Paulina Musters (1609-1660), a Dutch-born English actress and playwright who was active in the Restoration era.

In the 19th century, the name gained further popularity across Europe and the Americas. One notable individual was the German writer and feminist activist Paula Schramm (1839-1908), who advocated for women's rights and education.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Paula was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Paula, please contact us.

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