Paola Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAH-oh-lah /ˈpaʊ.lə/
Origin: Italian; Spanish
Meaning: Italian: small; Spanish: humble
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Paola is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin name "Paulus," which means "small" or "humble." The name Paulus itself can be traced back to the ancient Roman family name, which was borne by several notable figures, including Saint Paul the Apostle, a key figure in early Christianity. The transition from Paulus to Paola occurred as the name evolved through the vernacular languages of the Roman Empire, particularly during the Middle Ages when Latin began to fragment into the various Romance languages, including Italian.
Historically, the name Paola gained prominence through its association with various saints and religious figures. One notable example is Saint Paula of Rome, a 4th-century widow who became a follower of Saint Jerome and played a significant role in the early Christian community.
Her legacy contributed to the name's adoption in Christian contexts. The name also appears in various forms across different cultures, such as "Paula" in Spanish and "Paule" in French, reflecting its widespread use throughout Europe.
Culturally, the name Paola carries connotations of humility and modesty, resonating with the original meaning of its Latin root. It has been embraced in various artistic and literary works, often symbolizing grace and virtue.
The name's enduring appeal can also be seen in its diminutive forms, such as "Paulette" in French, which further illustrates its adaptability and cultural significance. Overall, Paola's historical journey from its Latin origins to its current usage encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural resonance.
Famous people named Paola
In this section, you will find notable people named Paola. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Paola who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Paola who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Paola Cortellesi is an actress and comedian best known for Italian films, TV series, and her work in theater.
Paola Rojas is a journalist and television presenter best known for her work on Televisa and her news programs.
Paola Turci is a singer-songwriter best known for her music career in Italy and her participation in the Sanremo Music Festival.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Paola, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Paola. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Paola was first seen in the United States in 1950.
Paola has ranked as high as #567 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Paola has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Paola is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Paola was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Paola (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 51 | |
| CA | 49 | |
| FL | 31 | |
| AZ | 10 | |
| IL | 10 | |
| NC | 9 | |
| NY | 6 | |
| VA | 6 | |
| PA | 5 | |
| MD | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Paola.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 229 |
| 2023 | 231 |
| 2022 | 269 |
| 2021 | 270 |
| 2020 | 267 |
| 2019 | 283 |
| 2018 | 275 |
| 2017 | 331 |
| 2016 | 338 |
| 2015 | 383 |
| 2014 | 418 |
| 2013 | 424 |
| 2012 | 507 |
| 2011 | 620 |
| 2010 | 680 |
| 2009 | 853 |
| 2008 | 954 |
| 2007 | 1,021 |
| 2006 | 1,089 |
| 2005 | 1,041 |
| 2004 | 936 |
| 2003 | 952 |
| 2002 | 1,000 |
| 2001 | 1,040 |
| 2000 | 991 |
| 1999 | 1,027 |
| 1998 | 812 |
| 1997 | 656 |
| 1996 | 700 |
| 1995 | 921 |
| 1994 | 747 |
| 1993 | 402 |
| 1992 | 500 |
| 1991 | 285 |
| 1990 | 326 |
| 1989 | 256 |
| 1988 | 210 |
| 1987 | 193 |
| 1986 | 187 |
| 1985 | 180 |
| 1984 | 160 |
| 1983 | 163 |
| 1982 | 102 |
| 1981 | 123 |
| 1980 | 83 |
| 1979 | 99 |
| 1978 | 101 |
| 1977 | 81 |
| 1976 | 61 |
| 1975 | 63 |
| 1974 | 44 |
| 1973 | 37 |
| 1972 | 44 |
| 1971 | 53 |
| 1970 | 36 |
| 1969 | 35 |
| 1968 | 23 |
| 1967 | 34 |
| 1966 | 19 |
| 1965 | 26 |
| 1964 | 18 |
| 1963 | 20 |
| 1962 | 16 |
| 1961 | 13 |
| 1960 | 12 |
| 1959 | 8 |
| 1958 | 15 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1952 | 6 |
| 1950 | 5 |