Paula
Meaning of Paula
The name Paula is a classic and timeless choice for a baby girl, with rich historical and cultural roots. Originating from the Latin name "Paulus," meaning "small" or "humble," Paula has been embraced across various cultures and languages. In English, it is pronounced as PAW-luh, while in Italian and Spanish, it takes on the melodious pronunciation of POW-lah. The name has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States over the years, peaking notably in the mid-20th century. Famous bearers of the name include Saint Paula, an early Christian saint known for her piety and charitable works, and Paula Abdul, a celebrated American singer and choreographer. Variations of the name include Paola, which adds an exotic flair while retaining its classic charm. Whether you are drawn to its historical significance or its elegant simplicity, Paula remains a beautiful choice that carries both grace and strength.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as PAW-luh (/'pɑlə/)
British English
- Pronunced as PAW-luh (/'pɔːlə/)
Italian
- Pronunced as POW-lah (/'pɔːla/)
Spanish
- Pronunced as POW-lah (/poʊˈlɑ/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Paula
| Paula Abdul is a multi-talented American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality known for her successful music career and numerous chart-topping singles. |
| Paula Jane Radcliffe MBE is a former British long-distance runner, known for her impressive marathon victories and for holding the Women's World Marathon Record for 16 years. |
| Dame Maria Paula Figueiroa Rego was a Portuguese-British visual artist known for her representational paintings and prints based on storybooks, reflecting feminism and folk-themes from Portugal. |
| Paula Creamer is a successful American professional golfer with 12 tournament wins, including the 2010 U.S. Women's Open, and has been ranked as high as number 2 in the Women's World Golf Rankings. |
| Paula Modersohn-Becker was a pioneering German Expressionist painter known for her numerous self-portraits, including nude and pregnant depictions, and is considered one of the most important early expressionist artists. |
| Paula Badosa Gibert is a Spanish professional tennis player who has been ranked as high as world No. 2 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and has won three WTA Tour singles titles, including the Indian Wells Open in 2021. |
| Paula Deen is a renowned American chef, cookbook author, and TV personality known for her restaurants in Savannah, Georgia and her numerous published cookbooks. |
| Paula Elizabeth Yates was a popular British television presenter and writer, known for her work on The Tube and The Big Breakfast, as well as for her high-profile relationships with musicians Bob Geldof and Michael Hutchence. |
| Paula Vogel is an award-winning American playwright and educator known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning play How I Learned to Drive. |
| Paula Maxine Patton is an American actress and producer known for her roles in films such as Hitch, Déjà Vu, Precious, and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. |
| Paula Morris - Paula Jane Kiri Morris is a prominent New Zealand novelist, short-story writer, editor, and literary academic, known for her role as an associate professor at the University of Auckland and as the founder of the Academy of New Zealand Literature. |
| Paula Kauffman Wagner is an accomplished American film producer and executive, known for her work on the film "Marshall" and the musical "Pretty Woman." |
| Paula Pell is an accomplished American writer, actress, comedian, and producer, best known for her work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, with multiple awards recognizing her talent and contributions to comedy. |
| Paula Susan Bontempi is a prominent oceanographer known for her leadership in utilizing satellite technology in marine science, notably during her roles at NASA and as the dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island. |
| Paula Fox was an acclaimed American author of novels for adults and children, winning prestigious awards such as the Newbery Medal and the Hans Christian Andersen Award for her contributions to children's literature. |
