Girl Name · Latin Origin
Paula
Paula has earned its place on parents' shortlists the slow way: by sounding right out loud. Etymologically, Paula traces back to a root meaning "Small, humble", giving it a quiet narrative spine that meaningful names always carry. With Latin provenance, Paula reads as a name with a passport — at home in multiple cultures and centuries. Editors who reviewed this entry note that Paula crosses generational lines without feeling dated — a tougher balance than it sounds.
Paula holds steady in the top 250 of US name rankings, which is to say it's a popular pick that still feels personal. Compared with names of similar style, Paula has held its rank more consistently — a quiet sign of long-term durability. Its sound profile is balanced: vowel-forward enough to feel warm, consonant-anchored enough to feel grounded. Parents who love Paula often also weigh Paola, Paolo, Paul — and the Paula name page below covers nicknames, sibling pairings, and pronunciation in detail.
Paula meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Small, humble
Origin: Latin naming roots help connect Paula to related Latin baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Paula as P·A·U·L·A, with 5 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Paula is a popular favorite that still feels personal in the Top 250 tier.
Paula variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Paulaa, Paulae, Paulay, Paul.
- Nicknames: Pau and P.
- Middle names: Pair Paula with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Paula middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Paola, Paolo, Paul, Paulo, Pollie — full picks on the sibling names for Paula guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Paula? Browse our names like Paula guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Paula
What does the name Paula mean?
Paula means "Small, humble" and is of Latin origin.
What is the origin of Paula?
Paula originates in Latin naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Paula?
Paula has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Paula a boy's or girl's name?
Paula is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Paula in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Paula sits in the Top 250 tier — a popular favorite that still feels personal.
What names are similar to Paula?
Names that share Paula's sound and style include Paola, Paolo, Paul, Paulo, Pollie.
What middle names pair well with Paula?
Good middle-name fits for Paula pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Paula is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Paula is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Paula?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Paula share its rhythm without rhyming — Paola, Paolo, Paul all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.