Name meaning & stats
Paula
Paula means “small” (Latin origin). 265,003 US babies since 1940, peak 1963. Notable Paulas are 1.5× over-represented as politicians.
What it means
“small”
LatinWell documented
In US birth records
Peak year: 1963
265,003 US babies were named Paula between 1940 and 2025.
Where Paulas end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 0.9× | High · 28 people |
| Politician | 1.5× | High · 28 people |
| Writer | 0.8× | Medium · 17 people |
| Journalist | 1.4× | Medium · 15 people |
Among notable women who are politicians, Paulas show up 1.5× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
Spelling family
Paula is the main spelling
- Paula 100%
- Paulla <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1963)