Declining since 2000, #1,258 for girls today.
Popularity of Paola since 1950
Babies named Paola per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Paola's real moment was 1999.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 44 |
| 1960s | 217 |
| 1970s | 619 |
| 1980s | 1,657 |
| 1990s | 6,377 |
| 2000s | 9,877 |
| 2010s | 4,259 |
| 2020s | 1,446 |
Meaning & origin
Paola entered U.S. records in 1950 and saw its peak popularity in 1999. Since 2000, its usage has been falling, though it remains a recognizable choice. The name is most popular in Florida, Kentucky, and Texas, reflecting its strong ties to Italian and Spanish communities. Its rank of 1258 in 2025 and frequency of 1 in 9,030 births demonstrate that while not among the top names, Paola has steady, understated appeal.
Paola is the Italian and Spanish feminine form of Paolo, itself derived from the Latin Paulus, meaning 'small' or 'humble.' The name was borne by Saint Paola of Rome (4th century), a wealthy Roman matron who became a Christian ascetic and follower of Saint Jerome. It has been consistently used in Italy and Spanish-speaking countries, with periodic popularity in the United States.
Where Paola is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Paola” around the world
Where Paola lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
320
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Paolita, Pao, Pal
Sibling names for Paola
Names that share Paola's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Paola
Names whose popularity has moved with Paola's over the last 50 years.
