Paula vs Ryan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Paula

Girl #753 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"small, humble"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Spanish Italian German English Brazilian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#753
Total SSA Count
374
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Polly, Pau, Paulie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Paula →

Ryan

Boy #87 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"little king"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (O'Riain)

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#87
Total SSA Count
3,892
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ryan →

Popularity Comparison

Paula Rank #753
Ryan Rank #87

Ryan is more popular, ranked #87 vs #753 for Paula.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Paula ___

  • Paula Marie
  • Paula Ann
  • Paula Jean
  • Paula Grace
  • Paula Elizabeth
  • Paula Louise

Ryan ___

  • Ryan James
  • Ryan Michael
  • Ryan Patrick
  • Ryan Thomas
  • Ryan Cole
  • Ryan Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Paula

Peter Patricia Michael Barbara Mark

If you choose Ryan

Connor Aidan Brendan Kaitlyn Meghan

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paula or Ryan more popular?

Ryan is more popular, ranked #87 compared to Paula at #753 in the United States.

What do Paula and Ryan mean?

Paula means "small, humble" (Latin origin). Ryan means "little king" (Irish Gaelic (O'Riain) origin).

Are Paula and Ryan boy or girl names?

Paula is primarily a girl name. Ryan is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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