The namePauline
Pauline is the French feminine of Paul. It was a top 40 American name before the First World War.
- Girl's name
- French
Meaning
Pauline comes from the Latin Paulina, from Paulus, "small".
Origin
French, from Latin.
History
In the United States Pauline reached 32nd place in 1915.
Pauline in other languages
Pauline is used in French and English. It is Paulina in German, Spanish and Polish, Paolina in Italian and Pavlína in Czech. It is the feminine of Paulin, itself derived from Paul.
Did you know?
- Pauline Ferrand-Prévot won Olympic mountain bike gold at Paris 2024, then the Tour de France Femmes in 2025.
- Pauline Bonaparte posed for Canova as Venus, in a famous sculpture now in the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
Famous people named Pauline
- Pauline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon
- Pauline Kael, film critic
Popularity of the name Pauline
Pauline in the United States
Pauline was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 64,301 births over the decade, 28% of all recorded babies named Pauline. Its rise began around 1895, and it peaked in 1918. Half of all babies named Pauline in the United States were born before 1925, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 53 births a year.
Pauline in Ireland
Pauline was most popular in Ireland in the 1960s, with 1,677 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Pauline. Half of all babies named Pauline in Ireland were born before 1971, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Pauline in France
Pauline in Belgium
Pauline in Switzerland
Pauline in Austria
Sibling names for Pauline
Names from the same generation as Pauline, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Pauline? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Pauline with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Pauline side by side with the name of your choice.
Pauline in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Pauline mean?
Pauline comes from the Latin Paulina, from Paulus, "small".
What is the origin of the name Pauline?
French, from Latin.
Is Pauline a girl's or a boy's name?
Pauline is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Pauline?
In 2024, Pauline was the 3465th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 45 births.
What are good sibling names for Pauline?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Yvonne, Nicolle, Suzanne and Jeanne for a sister, Armand, Jacques, Luc and Alexandre for a brother.
Who are famous people named Pauline?
Pauline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon; Pauline Kael, film critic.