Paula
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Paula
Paula still seems somewhat stuck in the era of duo Paul and Paula bopping out the song "Hey, Paula." Two pronunciations are possible—the English "PAW-la" and the Portuguese "POW-la."
Modern bearers of the name include singer-songwriter Paula Abdul and comedian Paula Poundstone, as well as a character on My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Paula is still a common choice in Puerto Rico.
With the trend toward boyish nicknames for girls, we can't help but wonder whether there will be a new generation of little girls names Paulie or Pauley, both fresher than Paula.
Paula is also given to boys.
Pronounced PAW-luh.
As of October 2026, Paula ranked #855 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #38 in 1954.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #995 | 267 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #891 | 310 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #825 | 348 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #858 | 319 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #794 | 344 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #753 | 373 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #824 | 331 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #822 | 338 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #806 | 349 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #707 | 401 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #753 | 374 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #855 | 318 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Paula.
Paula on lists
Famous Paulas
- Saint Paula of RomeGirl
early Desert Mother; follower of St. Jerome
- Paula Julie AbdulGirl
American singer, choreographer, and dancer
- Paula Maxine PattonGirl
American actress
- Paula Ann Hiers DeenGirl
American chef and TV personality
- Paula Michelle DevicqGirl
Canadian actress
- Paula BarbieriGirl
American model and actress
- Paula Fickes HawkinsGirl
U.S. Senator from Florida
- Paula Jane RadcliffeGirl
English long,distance runner
- Paula ColeGirl
American singer,songwriter
- Paula Caroline CreamerGirl
American professional golfer
- Paula Elizabeth YatesGirl
Welsh TV presenter
- Paula Jaraquemada AlquizarGirl
Chilean independence patriot
- Paula Ann ZahnGirl
American TV journalist
- Paula PoundstoneGirl
American comedienne
- Paula SelingGirl
Romanian pop singer
- Paula HustonGirl
American novelist
- (Mary) Paula WilcoxGirl
English actress
- Paula FernandesGirl
Brazilian singer
- Paula Dacia DeAndaGirl
American singer,songwriter
- Paula Tsui (SiuGirl
fung), Hong Kong pop singer
- Paula Belén ParetoGirl
Argentine judoka
- Paula EchevarríaGirl
Spanish actress
- Paula FryeGirl
Mother of Members of YouTube channel VenturianTale
- Paula TumalaGirl
Polish Model turned television presenter on MTV Poland
Paula in pop culture
- Paula CrackerGirl
former guitarist of the virtual band "Gorillaz"
- Paula ProctorGirl
character on TV's "Crazy Ex,Girlfriend"
- Dr. Paula Hutchison TurtleGirl
character on animated series "Rocko's Modern Life"
- Paul & PaulaGirl
American music duo