How Many People Are Named Paula?
Complete statistics for the name Paula: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Paula means 'little doll' in Greek, making it a sweet and endearing choice. That's 1 in 1,462 Americans who have this name, totaling around 225,725 people today. The majority, 68%, are over 60, giving it a decidedly mature vibe.
📖 Meaning & Origin
People with the life path number 6 are known for their nurturing nature and strong sense of responsibility.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 65All 281,441 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1963Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Paula Through the Generations
Paula has been a steady presence in American naming trends since the mid-20th century, peaking in popularity in 1963 with 10,178 births. Today, the name's legacy lives on through an estimated 225,725 individuals, with a notable age skew towards the older generation. Over 60% of those named Paula are now over 60, reflecting its status as a classic, old-school name that's slowly declining in usage among younger parents.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Paula
Paula is a common female given name. It is used in German, English, Estonian, Finnish, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Romanian, Hungarian, Polish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Croatian and Greek languages. In Greek it is Polina. Notable people with this name include:Saint Paula (347–404), saint and follower of St Jerome Paula Abdul, American pop singer and television personality Paula Acker (1913–1989), German correspondent, journalist, communist activist Paula Alí, Cuban actress Paula Angel, Mexican-American woman executed for the murder of her lover Paula Assunção, …
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Paula's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Paula
How Many People Have the Name Paula?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 1,831 people in the United States currently share the name Paula. That works out to roughly 1 in every 181,021 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Paula a Common or Rare Name?
Paula is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Paula Mean?
Paula means "little doll" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Paula in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Paula Most Popular?
The name Paula reached peak popularity in 1963, with 10,178 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Paula?
Approximately 1,831 people named Paula live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 1,831. That works out to roughly 1 in 181,021 Americans.
Is Paula a rare name?
Paula is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 181,021 Americans has this name.
What does the name Paula mean?
Paula means "little doll" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Paula more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Paula are male and 100% are female.
When was Paula most popular?
Paula peaked in 1963 with 10,178 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.