Paulette
Paulette is a girl's name of French origin.
Meaning
Small or humble.
Origin and history
Paulette is a French feminine diminutive of Paula, which derives from the Roman family name Paulus meaning 'small' or 'humble'. It gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century before becoming a classic, traditional choice in modern times.
Popularity in the United States
47,087 babies in the United States have been named Paulette since 1880. It ranks #611 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1325.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.9 %)
- CA (8.9 %)
- PA (6.7 %)
- IL (6.5 %)
- OH (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 76 |
| 1920-1930 | 314 |
| 1930-1940 | 591 |
| 1940-1950 | 15,902 |
| 1950-1960 | 14,883 |
| 1960-1970 | 7,430 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,640 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,227 |
| 1990-2000 | 792 |
| 2000-2010 | 403 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,010 |
| 2020-2029 | 814 |
Famous people named Paulette
- Paulette Goddard: Actress, Model
- Paulette Carlson: Singer, Songwriter
Nicknames
Paula, Paulie, Polly
Fun facts
- Actress Paulette Goddard was a major star in the 1930s and 1940s, famous for her roles in Charlie Chaplin films.
- The suffix '-ette' was frequently added to masculine or base names in French to create gentle feminine diminutives.