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

Popularity: The name Paulene ranked 3204th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name appears on the 1990 U.S. Census lists, it is used by only a small percentage of the general population.

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.