Origin, Meaning, And History Of Paula
Paula is a feminine given name derived from the Roman surname Paulus or the name Paul which translates to ‘humble’ or ‘small’ in Latin. As a surname, Paula is said to be a shortened form of the personal name Francisco de Paula, given after Saint Francis of Paola.
Its parent derivative Paul is the name of one of the most significant Christian missionaries to have lived according to the New Testament of the Bible. Paul initially went by Saul and was a Roman Jewish citizen. His transformation as a christian happened when Jesus Christ confronted him about his actions. He later became a revered Christian missionary across the Eastern Mediterranean.
Paula has a legacy dating back to the ancient era. Saint Paula, a Roman born into royalty in the fourth century, dedicated her life to serving the poor. She lived in St. Jerome’s time and traveled with him. Nowadays, Croatia, Chile, Austria, Spain, and Catalonia are among the many places where the name Paula is quite common. It is also used as a given name in German, English, Estonian, Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish, Catalan, Hungarian, Polish, Dutch, Romanian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Croatian languages.
Paula came to be most commonly used in the US in the 19th century. Some prominent variants of this name include Pavla in Czech, Paule, and Paulette in French, Paola in Italian, Pàula in Sardinian, Pála in Icelandic, and Pavla in Slovene.
It is also a popular name in pop culture. For example, Paula Thackery is a fictitious character that often appears in the American sitcom television seriesCharles in Chargeand is portrayed by Julianne McNamara. Another character by the name is Paula Jones fromEarthBound, the Super Nintendo video game where she is one of the protagonists.
Paula
How To Pronounce Paula?
Famous People With The Name Paula
- Paula Julie AbdulAmerican singer, dancer, and actress, best-known for her album Forever Your Girl, which consists of several number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
- Paula CreamerAmerican golfer, widely known for ranking as the 2nd best women’s golfer, winner of 11 American Junior Golf Association tournaments
- Paula Fernandes de SouzaBrazilian singer and songwriter, famous for receiving a Latin Grammy Award for notable work in the album Amanhecer
Paula On The Popularity Chart
The name Paula was quite popular in the late 80s, but it has been declining in the baby charts. Check the graphs by the Social Security Administration to know more.
Popularity Over Time
As the name has been falling off the charts, Paula is currently shared by only 336 babies per million in the US.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Similar to its popularity, Pula has been decreasing in ranking as well. As of 2021, the name is positioned at 821st rank, and its highest was in 1980 at 173rd.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sounds To Paula
If you are looking to explore more names that sound like Paula, here are some suggestions.
Popular Sibling Names For Paula
Other Popular Names Beginning With P
Names With Similar Meanings As Paula
If you want a name that means the same as Paula but sounds different? Take a look at the options listed below.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Paula
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Paula?
The name Paula means ‘humble’ or ‘small.’
2. What is the origin of the name Paula?
Paula has a Latin origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Paula?
Paula is pronounced as pau-la.
4. Is Paula a common or popular name?
Paula can be considered a fairly common name in the US. According to data provided by the Social Security Administration, the name stood at rank 801 in 2022, marking its spot among the Top 1000 names in the U.S. During the same year, the name had 349 babies using the name (1).
5. Is Paula an old and religious name?
Paula is not considered an old name in terms of being ancient or archaic since it is a name with enduring popularity. But the name has a long history of usage. It was borne by Saint Paula of Rome during the second and third centuries, who was a companion of Saint Jerome. The name may have religious significance since it is the feminine form of the name Paul, an important religious leader in the Bible and the author of several New Testament epistles.
6. What are some middle name options that go well with Paula?
The name Paula carries the connotation of ‘humble.’ Thus, to find a matching pair, you may consider these name suggestions carrying the meaning of either ‘girl’ or ‘woman’ to have a combined name meaning ‘humble woman.’ The names includeNina,Colleen,Cynthia, Ece, and Rhian.
7.一个有趣的事实或琐事是什么name Paula?
The name Paula is the title of a memoir written by Chilean writer Isabelle Allende. She penned down the most tragic experiences of her life, which is perceived as a tribute to her departed daughter, Paula Frías Allende.
References:
- Baby names.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
