Declining since 1990, #2,957 for girls today.
Popularity of Pauline since 1880
Babies named Pauline per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,594 |
| 1890s | 6,635 |
| 1900s | 13,310 |
| 1910s | 50,075 |
| 1920s | 64,075 |
| 1930s | 33,690 |
| 1940s | 21,912 |
| 1950s | 14,437 |
| 1960s | 8,939 |
| 1970s | 4,011 |
| 1980s | 2,486 |
| 1990s | 2,186 |
| 2000s | 1,097 |
| 2010s | 633 |
| 2020s | 324 |
Meaning & origin
Pauline, a name that once enjoyed widespread popularity in the early 20th century, now carries a vintage charm. It peaked at rank 35 in 1915, reflecting a time when it was among the most common choices for girls. In 2025, it ranks 2,957, with only 1 in every 28,701 newborns receiving the name. The trajectory shows a falling trend since 1990, but its historical significance remains. The top states for Pauline in recent years include Illinois and California, indicating a broad but thin geographic spread. As a soft yet sturdy classic, Pauline offers a connection to the past without feeling overly dated.
Pauline is the French feminine form of Paulinus, a Roman cognomen derived from Paulus, meaning 'small' or 'humble.' The name was popularized in the 19th and early 20th centuries, ranking among the top girls' names in the United States from the 1880s through the 1920s. It has been used across English and French-speaking countries, often favored for its classic simplicity and saintly associations.
Where Pauline 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.
“Pauline” around the world
Where Pauline lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
180
babies in 2024
Quebec
19
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Polly, Lina, Paula
Sibling names for Pauline
Names that share Pauline's style, for a brother or sister.
