"small, humble"
Paulina
Pronunciation: [ p-awl-EEN-uh ]
Does Paulina flow with your last name?
Humble Roman origins wrapped in Latin elegance
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Paulina
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"devoted to Paul, little one"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Paulina
Paulina is the feminine form of Paulinus, a diminutive of the Roman family name Paulus, from the Latin paulus meaning small or humble. The name gained prominence through Saint Paul the Apostle and subsequently spread throughout the Catholic world. Paulina has been especially beloved in Spain, Poland, and Latin America, where it carries a blend of religious heritage and elegant femininity.
Paulina has been consistently popular in Spanish-speaking countries and Poland for centuries. In the US it gained attention through supermodel Paulina Porizkova in the 1980s and remains a favorite among Latin American communities.
In the Catholic tradition, Paulina is associated with Saint Paulina, the first Brazilian-born saint canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. In Poland, Paulina is a classic given name with deep roots. In Latin America it carries an air of elegance.
Historical Record
Paulina first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 18,364 babies have been named Paulina in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Paulina is past its peak , currently ranked #780 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Paulina Porizkova was the first Eastern European model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (1984)
- Saint Paulina of the Ailing Heart is the patron saint of sick people in Brazil
Paulina in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Paulina
Paulina Gretzky
Entertainer
1988
American model and singer, daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky
Paulina Rubio
Musician
1971
Mexican pop star known as the Golden Girl of Latin pop
Paulina Porizkova
Entertainer
1965
Czech-American supermodel who was the face of Estee Lauder in the 1980s and 1990s
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Compare Paulina with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #780
- Total SSA Count
- 361
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Polish Italian Latin American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, Italian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Latin American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Paulina
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Paulina is also used as a boy name, ranked #25311.
View Paulina as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Spanish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Paulina
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About the Name Paulina
Paulina is a girl name with Spanish, Polish, Italian, and Latin American origins . The name means "small, humble" in Latin .
Is Paulina a boy or girl name? Paulina is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #780 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #25,311. Paulina is more commonly used as a girl name.
Paulina is currently ranked #780 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Paulina has 4 syllables and is pronounced p-awl-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Paulina include Pauli, Lina, and Paula. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Paulina include Paula, Paulette, Pauline . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Recommended for Parents
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Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
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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