"small; humble"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Pauline
Pronunciation: [ p-awl-EEN ]
Does Pauline flow with your last name?
A timeless French classic with humble grace
French
English
Christian
Belgian
Vintage
Classic
Elegant
Literary
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"feminine form of Paul; devoted to the apostle"
Origin: Latin/French
Language: French
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The Story of Pauline
Pauline is the French feminine form of Paul, derived from the Latin Paulus meaning small or humble. The masculine name Paul was borne by the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus), one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, whose letters form a large portion of the New Testament. Pauline has been used in French-speaking countries for centuries and spread through the English-speaking world in the 19th century. The silent film serial The Perils of Pauline (1914) made the name synonymous with adventure.
Pauline was a popular name in England and France through the first half of the 20th century, particularly in the 1920s-1950s. It declined significantly in the latter decades but is now experiencing a gentle revival as part of the broader trend for vintage French-influenced names like Colette, Vivienne, and Simone.
In French culture, Pauline has remained steadily stylish across generations. Saint Pauline of Brazil (Amabile Lucia Wisintainer, 1865-1942) is the first Brazilian-born saint, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. The name carries strong associations with French literary and artistic culture.
Historical Record
Pauline first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 34,057 babies have been named Pauline in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Pauline is past its peak , currently ranked #3,445 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Perils of Pauline (1914) was one of the first wildly popular film serials in America, making Pauline synonymous with cliffhanger adventure
- Saint Pauline of Brazil was canonized in 2002, making her the first Brazilian-born saint in Catholic history
Pauline in Other Languages
French
Pauline
German
Pauline
Italian
Paolina
Spanish
Paulina
Portuguese
Paulina
Popularity Over Time
#3,445
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Pauline
P
Pauline Kael
Writer
1919
Legendary American film critic for The New Yorker, considered one of the most influential film critics of the 20th centu...
Legendary American film critic for The New Yorker, considered one of the most influential film critics of the 20th century
P
Pauline Phillips (Dear Abby)
Writer
1918
American advice columnist who created the Dear Abby column, one of the most widely syndicated newspaper columns in histo...
American advice columnist who created the Dear Abby column, one of the most widely syndicated newspaper columns in history
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Compare Pauline with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,445
- Total SSA Count
- 45
- Cultural Origins
- French English Christian Belgian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Polly
Pauly
Lina
Paulie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Pauline
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Pauline is also used as a boy name, ranked #15095.
View Pauline as a boy name →Similar Names
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Hebrew origin
"high, exalted"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pauline
What does the name Pauline mean?
"small; humble" (from Latin). "feminine form of Paul; devoted to the apostle" (from Latin/French). Pauline is the French feminine form of Paul, derived from the Latin Paulus meaning small or humble. The masculine name Paul was borne by the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus), one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, whose letters form a large portion of the New Testament. Pauline has been used in French-speaking countries for centuries and spread through the English-speaking world in the 19th century. The silent film serial The Perils of Pauline (1914) made the name synonymous with adventure.
What is the origin of the name Pauline?
Pauline has Latin, Latin/French, French, English, Christian, and Belgian origins. In Latin, it means "small; humble". In Latin/French, it means "feminine form of Paul; devoted to the apostle".
Is Pauline a boy or girl name?
Pauline is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3445. As a boy name, it is ranked #15095. Pauline is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Pauline?
Pauline is pronounced p-awl-EEN.
How popular is the name Pauline?
Pauline is currently ranked #3445 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Pauline?
Common nicknames for Pauline include Polly, Pauly, Lina, and Paulie.
What are good middle names for Pauline?
Popular middle name pairings include Pauline Marie, Pauline Anne, Pauline Louise, Pauline Claire, Pauline Grace, Pauline Renée, and Pauline Elise.
What are good sibling names for Pauline?
Names that pair well with Pauline as siblings include Colette, Vivienne, Claude, Adèle, Henri, Marcel, and Simone.
How many syllables does Pauline have?
Pauline has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Pauline a common or rare name?
Pauline is an uncommon name, ranked #3445 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Pauline?
About the Name Pauline
Pauline is a girl name with French, English, Christian, and Belgian origins . The name means "small; humble" in Latin .
Is Pauline a boy or girl name? Pauline is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,445 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,095. Pauline is more commonly used as a girl name.
Pauline is currently ranked #3,445 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Pauline has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-awl-EEN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Pauline include Polly, Pauly, Lina, and Paulie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Pauline include Paula, Paulina, Paulette . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis