Paula
GirlLatin · English /ˈpɔl.ə/; German /ˈpaʊ̯.la/; Spanish /ˈpau̯.la/.
Paula is a Latin name with a compact, classic shape. Its familiar spelling carries different vowel sounds in English, German and Spanish.
Origin
Latin
Pronunciation
English /ˈpɔl.ə/; German /ˈpaʊ̯.la/; Spanish /ˈpau̯.la/.
Small or little.
Paula comes from the Roman name Paulus and carries the Latin meaning ‘small’ or ‘little’. As its feminine form, it shares its roots with Paul. The name has a spare, balanced shape: a firm opening p, a softer l and an open ending. That combination can give it a warm, quietly classic feel. The spelling travels more easily than the exact sound. In English, Paula is pronounced /ˈpɔl.ə/; German /ˈpaʊ̯.la/ and Spanish /ˈpau̯.la/ give the au a gliding sound. All three place the stress at the beginning. If Paula will be spoken in more than one language in your family, saying those versions aloud is a useful part of choosing it.
Etymology: Paula is the feminine form of the Roman name Paulus, from Latin paulus, meaning small. Paul belongs to the same name family.
Spelling table
Code
.--. .- ..- .-.. .-
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Braille
⠠⠏⠁⠥⠇⠁
Name popularity
Latest year: 2025
Girls
Rank855
Boys
RankNot reported
Source
SSA records cover Social Security card applications, not every US birth. Names with fewer than 5 occurrences are omitted; gaps do not mean zero. Spellings are kept separate, except that SSA removes spaces and hyphens. Equal counts are ranked alphabetically. Ranks are calculated separately for boys and girls.
Origin
Latin