Paula
Paula is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Small or humble.
Origin and history
Paula is a name of Latin origin derived from the Roman family name Paulus. Although overwhelmingly used as a feminine name in modern times, it has a long history of occasional usage for males in the United States. Its root meaning pertains to being small or humble.
Popularity in the United States
913 babies in the United States have been named Paula since 1880. It ranks #3765 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1910.
States where it is most popular
- TX (54.3 %)
- CA (45.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 10 |
| 1930-1940 | 46 |
| 1940-1950 | 108 |
| 1950-1960 | 159 |
| 1960-1970 | 189 |
| 1970-1980 | 143 |
| 1980-1990 | 123 |
| 1990-2000 | 56 |
| 2000-2010 | 43 |
| 2010-2019 | 14 |
| 2020-2029 | 17 |
Fun facts
- Paula originates from the Latin word 'paulus', which was used as a Roman cognomen indicating modesty or smallness.
- While predominantly female in the U.S. today, over 900 boys have been officially registered with the first name Paula since 1880.