Find out how popular the first name Paulita has been for the last 41 years (from 1975 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Paulita by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Paulita is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Paulita.

The history of the first name Paulita

Paulita is a feminine given name with roots in the Spanish and Portuguese languages. It is a diminutive form of the name Paula, which itself is derived from the ancient Roman family name Paulius or Paulus. Paulus stems from the Latin word "paulus", meaning "small" or "humble".

The name Paulita gained prominence during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions with strong Christian influences, such as the Iberian Peninsula and parts of Latin America. It was often bestowed upon girls born into devout Catholic families, as a nod to the apostle Paul, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Paulita can be found in the 13th century "Cantigas de Santa Maria", a collection of poems and songs dedicated to the Virgin Mary, composed by King Alfonso X of Castile and León. In these works, Paulita is mentioned as the name of a young woman who was miraculously cured of a grave illness after praying to the Virgin.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Paulita. One such figure is Paulita de la Piedra (1843-1923), a celebrated Cuban poet and writer who played a significant role in the island's independence movement. Another is Paulita Maxwell (1846-1919), a prominent landowner and rancher in New Mexico, whose family's vast holdings became the subject of legal disputes and controversies.

In the realm of music, Paulita Concepción (1888-1975) was a renowned Mexican singer and actress, known for her contributions to the genre of "ranchera" music. She was a pioneering figure in the early days of Mexican cinema and is remembered for her powerful voice and emotional performances.

Another notable Paulita was Paulita Gómez (1905-1973), a Mexican-American actress and dancer who appeared in numerous Hollywood films during the 1920s and 1930s, often portraying exoticized "Latin" characters. Her performances helped to challenge and subvert racial stereotypes prevalent in the industry at the time.

Lastly, Paulita Fernández (1923-2001) was a celebrated Spanish flamenco dancer and choreographer. She was instrumental in promoting and preserving the art of flamenco, both in Spain and internationally, and was widely recognized for her passion, technical mastery, and innovative choreographic works.

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 Paulita was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!