Paola Girl

Popularity: #770 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

MarcoGiuliaLucaSofiaAlessandroElena

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.

PaulaPiaPalomaPavlaPollyPaigePoppyPilar

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Paola was first seen in the United States in 1950.

Paola has ranked as high as #607 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 178 0 178
2024 230 0 230
2023 231 0 231
2022 269 0 269
2021 270 0 270
2020 268 0 268
2019 283 0 283
2018 275 0 275
2017 331 0 331
2016 338 0 338
2015 383 0 383
2014 418 0 418
2013 424 0 424
2012 507 0 507
2011 620 0 620
2010 680 0 680
2009 853 0 853
2008 954 0 954
2007 1,028 7 1,021
2006 1,089 0 1,089
2005 1,041 0 1,041
2004 936 0 936
2003 959 7 952
2002 1,010 10 1,000
2001 1,048 8 1,040
2000 998 7 991
1999 1,037 10 1,027
1998 819 7 812
1997 656 0 656
1996 701 0 701
1995 934 13 921
1994 758 11 747
1993 409 7 402
1992 505 5 500
1991 294 9 285
1990 336 10 326
1989 267 11 256
1988 215 5 210
1987 198 5 193
1986 192 5 187
1985 185 5 180
1984 166 6 160
1983 163 0 163
1982 102 0 102
1981 123 0 123
1980 83 0 83
1979 99 0 99
1978 101 0 101
1977 81 0 81
1976 61 0 61
1975 63 0 63
1974 44 0 44
1973 37 0 37
1972 44 0 44
1971 53 0 53
1970 36 0 36
1969 35 0 35
1968 23 0 23
1967 35 0 35
1966 19 0 19
1965 26 0 26
1964 18 0 18
1963 20 0 20
1962 16 0 16
1961 13 0 13
1960 12 0 12
1959 8 0 8
1958 15 0 15
1955 5 0 5
1953 5 0 5
1952 6 0 6
1950 5 0 5

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 51
28%
CA 49
27%
FL 31
17%
AZ 10
5%
IL 10
5%
NC 9
5%
VA 6
3%
NY 6
3%
MD 5
3%
PA 5
3%