Pauline Girl

Popularity: #892 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAW-leen /pɔːˈliːn/

Origin: Latin; French

Meaning: Latin: small; French: humble

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Pauline is derived from the Latin name Paulinus, which is a diminutive form of Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble." The name Paulus itself has roots in the ancient Roman name Paulus, which was used as a family name in the Roman Republic. The transition of the name into English occurred through Old French, where it was adopted as Paoline before entering Middle English as Pauline.

This linguistic journey reflects the broader influence of Latin on the development of European languages following the fall of the Roman Empire. Historically, the name Pauline has been associated with several notable figures, particularly in the context of Christianity.

One of the most significant early bearers of the name was Saint Paul, an apostle whose letters form a substantial part of the New Testament. His influence in the early Christian church during the first century laid a foundation for the name's adoption among Christians.

The name gained further prominence through various saints and religious figures over the centuries, particularly in the medieval period when names derived from saints became popular among the Christian populace. Culturally, the name Pauline has been imbued with connotations of humility and service, reflecting its etymological roots.

It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing grace and modesty. The name's association with Saint Paul has also contributed to its enduring significance in Christian communities, where it is sometimes linked to themes of transformation and redemption.

Additionally, the diminutive form, Paula, has been historically relevant, though Pauline remains the more formal variant. Overall, the name's rich etymological background and historical associations have contributed to its lasting presence in various cultures.

Famous people named Pauline

In this section, you will find notable people named Pauline. 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 Pauline who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Pauline 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.

Pauline Kael is a film critic best known for her work at The New Yorker, her book 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang', and her influential reviews.

Pauline Oliveros is a composer and accordionist best known for her work in the field of experimental music and for founding the Sonic Meditations.

Fictional characters named Pauline

The following list of fictional characters named Pauline is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Pauline is a fictional character from the video game series Mario. She is often depicted as a damsel in distress and is known for being the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Pauline, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

PeterPaulaPennyPatriciaPhilipPiper

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Pauline. 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.

PollyPaulettePaigePoppyPhoebePriscillaPenelopePilar

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Pauline was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Pauline has ranked as high as #58 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Pauline has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Pauline 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 Pauline 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 Pauline.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 56 0 56
2024 45 0 45
2023 63 0 63
2022 58 0 58
2021 49 0 49
2020 53 0 53
2019 50 0 50
2018 62 0 62
2017 60 0 60
2016 63 0 63
2015 78 0 78
2014 68 0 68
2013 64 0 64
2012 66 0 66
2011 68 0 68
2010 54 0 54
2009 56 0 56
2008 68 0 68
2007 95 0 95
2006 88 0 88
2005 114 0 114
2004 105 0 105
2003 150 0 150
2002 145 0 145
2001 129 0 129
2000 147 0 147
1999 147 0 147
1998 155 0 155
1997 201 0 201
1996 192 0 192
1995 212 0 212
1994 226 0 226
1993 260 0 260
1992 223 0 223
1991 295 0 295
1990 275 0 275
1989 266 0 266
1988 222 0 222
1987 212 0 212
1986 219 0 219
1985 238 0 238
1984 231 0 231
1983 254 0 254
1982 256 0 256
1981 298 0 298
1980 290 0 290
1979 273 0 273
1978 314 0 314
1977 292 0 292
1976 326 0 326
1975 340 0 340
1974 387 0 387
1973 432 0 432
1972 466 0 466
1971 548 0 548
1970 633 0 633
1969 647 0 647
1968 692 0 692
1967 695 0 695
1966 795 0 795
1965 873 0 873
1964 1,031 7 1,024
1963 1,036 6 1,030
1962 929 0 929
1961 1,141 0 1,141
1960 1,119 6 1,113
1959 1,217 0 1,217
1958 1,209 0 1,209
1957 1,350 7 1,343
1956 1,374 5 1,369
1955 1,351 0 1,351
1954 1,431 8 1,423
1953 1,575 5 1,570
1952 1,604 9 1,595
1951 1,627 6 1,621
1950 1,747 8 1,739
1949 1,917 0 1,917
1948 1,979 14 1,965
1947 2,187 9 2,178
1946 2,060 5 2,055
1945 1,983 8 1,975
1944 2,138 10 2,128
1943 2,469 10 2,459
1942 2,482 8 2,474
1941 2,361 9 2,352
1940 2,423 14 2,409
1939 2,438 24 2,414
1938 2,675 9 2,666
1937 2,839 21 2,818
1936 3,008 27 2,981
1935 3,096 20 3,076
1934 3,469 24 3,445
1933 3,561 19 3,542
1932 3,922 21 3,901
1931 4,214 22 4,192
1930 4,682 27 4,655
1929 5,051 25 5,026
1928 5,426 35 5,391
1927 6,044 33 6,011
1926 6,388 31 6,357
1925 6,749 21 6,728
1924 6,732 10 6,722
1923 6,726 19 6,707
1922 6,824 13 6,811
1921 7,161 19 7,142
1920 7,200 20 7,180
1919 6,986 13 6,973
1918 7,238 16 7,222
1917 6,918 22 6,896
1916 6,679 24 6,655
1915 6,345 11 6,334
1914 4,706 8 4,698
1913 3,646 10 3,636
1912 3,172 9 3,163
1911 2,354 9 2,345
1910 2,166 13 2,153
1909 1,903 7 1,896
1908 1,707 5 1,702
1907 1,591 0 1,591
1906 1,436 8 1,428
1905 1,390 9 1,381
1904 1,243 0 1,243
1903 1,042 0 1,042
1902 985 0 985
1901 938 0 938
1900 1,104 0 1,104
1899 817 6 811
1898 900 0 900
1897 777 0 777
1896 761 5 756
1895 734 0 734
1894 656 0 656
1893 551 6 545
1892 526 0 526
1891 455 0 455
1890 475 0 475
1889 415 0 415
1888 393 0 393
1887 314 0 314
1886 276 0 276
1885 254 0 254
1884 230 0 230
1883 198 0 198
1882 204 0 204
1881 166 0 166
1880 144 0 144

Top States for Pauline (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 8
57%
CA 6
43%