Meaning: Its source is a Latin expression meaning "Small."

Languages: This girl's name is used in Italian and Spanish.

Popularity: The name Paola ranked 200th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 1949th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Narrative: Though Paula was used among early Christians, no doubt to honor St. Paul, it was not used widely in English-speaking countries until the 20th century. In the interim, it was mainly identified as a German name.

Paulina, another ancient Latin name, did come into use among English speakers in the 19th century; however, as Paula increased in popularity in Britain and America, the French forms Pauline and Paulette joined it in eclipsing the older name.