Paula
Paula is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Small or humble.
Origin and history
Paula is a classic feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Paulus. It has been used in the English-speaking world for centuries and remains a recognizable, timeless choice. In the United States, it enjoyed peak popularity during the mid-20th century and continues to be regularly used.
Popularity in the United States
280,856 babies in the United States have been named Paula since 1880. It ranks #140 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #756.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.7 %)
- CA (8.3 %)
- NY (7.1 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- IL (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 178 |
| 1890-1900 | 424 |
| 1900-1910 | 666 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,022 |
| 1920-1930 | 4,554 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,861 |
| 1940-1950 | 39,044 |
| 1950-1960 | 84,869 |
| 1960-1970 | 80,512 |
| 1970-1980 | 32,724 |
| 1980-1990 | 11,072 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,330 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,177 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,310 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,113 |
Famous people named Paula
- Paula Abdul: Singer, Choreographer
- Paula Deen: Chef, Author
- Paula Patton: Actress
Nicknames
Paulie, Polly
Fun facts
- Paula originates from the Latin adjective 'paulus', which was a prominent Roman cognomen.
- Saint Paula was a wealthy Roman matron who founded monasteries in Bethlehem.