Pauline
Pauline is a girl's name of French origin.
Meaning
Small or humble.
Origin and history
Pauline is a French feminine diminutive derived from the Latin name Paulus. It was immensely popular in the United States during the early to mid-20th century and remains a classic, vintage choice today.
Popularity in the United States
226,404 babies in the United States have been named Pauline since 1880. It ranks #177 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1777.
States where it is most popular
- PA (8.6 %)
- NY (7.5 %)
- TX (5.2 %)
- MA (5.1 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,594 |
| 1890-1900 | 6,635 |
| 1900-1910 | 13,310 |
| 1910-1920 | 50,075 |
| 1920-1930 | 64,075 |
| 1930-1940 | 33,690 |
| 1940-1950 | 21,912 |
| 1950-1960 | 14,437 |
| 1960-1970 | 8,939 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,011 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,486 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,186 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,097 |
| 2010-2019 | 633 |
| 2020-2029 | 324 |
Famous people named Pauline
- Pauline Bonaparte: Duchess, Princess
- Pauline Kael: Film Critic, Author
Nicknames
Polly, Pauli, Lena
Fun facts
- The name gained widespread European popularity in part due to Pauline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon Bonaparte.
- Pauline was consistently ranked among the top 50 most popular female names in the United States during the 1910s and 1920s.