Paula Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Paula is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Paula?
Paula is spelled P-A-U-L-A. The name has 5 letters.
Paula at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Paula is the feminine form of Paul, which derives from the Latin “Paulus” meaning “small” or “humble.”
- Origin
- Paula is commonly associated with Latin origins as the feminine counterpart to the name Paul, deriving from the Roman family name Paulus.
- Pronunciation
- PAW-luh · 2 syllables
Paula Popularity in 2025
Rank#853
Recorded Births318
- Girls usage fell 101 places to #853 and recorded 57 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Paula Mean?
Paula is the feminine form of Paul, which derives from the Latin “Paulus” meaning “small” or “humble.”
Origin: Paula is commonly associated with Latin origins as the feminine counterpart to the name Paul, deriving from the Roman family name Paulus.
How Do You Pronounce Paula?
PronunciationPAW-luh
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Paula?
- History
- The name Paula has appeared in various historical texts as a feminine form derived from Paul, a name borne by several early Christian figures, which contributed to its use in Christian contexts.
Paula Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2008 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 318 | #853 |
| 2024 | Girls | 375 | #752 |
| 2023 | Girls | 402 | #706 |
| 2023 | Boys | 6 | #10,821 |
| 2022 | Girls | 349 | #806 |
| 2022 | Boys | 6 | #10,863 |
| 2021 | Girls | 338 | #822 |
| 2020 | Girls | 331 | #822 |
| 2020 | Boys | 5 | #12,022 |
| 2019 | Girls | 373 | #753 |
| 2018 | Girls | 344 | #793 |
| 2017 | Girls | 319 | #856 |
| 2017 | Boys | 5 | #12,246 |
| 2016 | Girls | 348 | #826 |
| 2015 | Girls | 310 | #889 |
| 2015 | Boys | 9 | #8,040 |
| 2014 | Girls | 267 | #993 |
| 2013 | Girls | 307 | #847 |
| 2012 | Girls | 385 | #721 |
| 2011 | Girls | 325 | #817 |
| 2010 | Girls | 332 | #814 |
| 2009 | Girls | 362 | #781 |
| 2009 | Boys | 6 | #10,994 |
| 2008 | Girls | 448 | #678 |
When Was Paula Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1963 · Girls
10,156 recorded births
National rank #42
1954 · Girls
9,686 recorded births
National rank #38
1955 · Girls
9,585 recorded births
National rank #39
1953 · Girls
9,557 recorded births
National rank #40
Where Paula Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| TX | #431 | 78 |
| CT | #459 | 6 |
| AZ | #546 | 12 |
| FL | #583 | 30 |
| NJ | #618 | 12 |
| CA | #662 | 47 |
| GA | #710 | 14 |
| NC | #729 | 13 |