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Paulina

♀ Girl

Pronounced paw-LEE-nah /pɔːˈliː.nə/High

Meaning: Small or humble; the Latinate feminine form of Paul, from Latin Paulus meaning small or humble, a Roman family nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Paulina is the graceful Latinate feminine of Paul meaning small or humble, used across Europe and Latin America, a flowing three-syllable name that adds Romance-language elegance to the apostolic name.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningSmall or humble; the Latinate feminine form of Paul, from Latin Paulus meaning small or humble, a Roman family name
U.S. rank (2025)#784 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births346 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2002
Total births (all-time)≈ 20,136

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200218802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Paulina is the Latinate feminine form of the Roman family name Paulus, meaning small or humble. Paul became an enormously influential name through Saint Paul the Apostle, who was born Saul of Tarsus and changed his name after his conversion to Christianity. Paulina was used in the Roman Empire and passed into European and Spanish naming traditions.

Paulina is popular throughout Latin America and in European countries with Catholic traditions, particularly Poland, Czech Republic, and Spain. In the United States it appears among Hispanic communities and gained wider visibility through Mexican telenovelas. It is a classic choice that never fully goes out of fashion.

Did you know? Paulina appears as the name of a loyal noblewoman in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, where she courageously defends the unjustly accused Queen Hermione and engineers her miraculous return, making Paulina one of Shakespeare's most admirable female characters.
Overall data confidence 96%
Behind the Name — Paulina — Latin etymology and usage historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PaulinePaolaPaula

Nicknames

PauliLinaPaula

Famous Bearers

  • ★Paulina Rubio (1971–present)
    Mexican pop singer known as the Golden Girl of Latin pop and a popular Latin artist of the 1990s and 2000s.

If you like Paulina…

Carolina— same three-syllable Latinate -ina ending classic feminine name
Valentina— shares the flowing four/three-syllable Latinate -ina pattern and Latin American popularity
Catalina— fellow three-syllable Spanish -ina name with Roman Catholic tradition
Sabrina— same soft three-syllable -ina ending feminine name with classical roots

Frequently Asked

What does the name Paulina mean?

Paulina means small or humble, as the Latinate feminine form of Paul from the Roman family name Paulus.

How do you pronounce Paulina?

It is said paw-LEE-nah, three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Paulina a popular name?

Paulina is popular in Latin America, Poland, and other Catholic countries, and is used steadily in Hispanic communities in the United States.

What is the difference between Paulina and Pauline?

Paulina is the Spanish and Latinate form, while Pauline is the French form; both derive from the same Latin root Paulus.