Paula is a distinctive choice, ranked #1491 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Paula in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#1491
US Rank #753
About the Name Paula
Paula has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 291 places in five years. It was most popular in 1996 at #549 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Paula is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #753, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Paula
Unlikely. With around 21 UK babies named Paula per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Paula in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Paula has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 291 places in the last five years. Its peak was #549 in 1996. Choosing it now means she is likely to be among the last of her generation with this name.
Paula is more popular in the US (#753) than in the UK (#1491). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Paula include: Paula Broadwell — Paula Dean Broadwell is an American writer, academic and former military officer.; Paula Xinis — Paula Xinis is an American lawyer and jurist serving as a United States district judge of the U.; Paula Jones — Paula Corbin Jones is an American civil servant..
Paula ranks #753 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
21
UK babies named Paula (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↓ 291 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Paula
Likely around 1 other Paula in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Paula
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Paula Dean Broadwell is an American writer, academic and former military officer. Broadwell served in the US Army on both active and reserve duty for over 20 years (including time as a military school undergraduate).
Paula Corbin Jones is an American civil servant. A former Arkansas state employee, Jones sued United States President Bill Clinton for sexual harassment in 1994.
Paula Wilcox is an English actress. She played Chrissy Plummer in the ITV sitcom Man About the House from 1973 to 1976, and also had roles in TV shows such as The Lovers, Miss Jones and Son, The Queen’s Nose, The Smoking Room, Emmerdale, Mount Pleasant, Boomers, Upstart Crow and Girlfriends.
Paula Ann Zahn is an American journalist and newscaster who has been an anchor at ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, and CNN. She currently produces and hosts the true crime documentary series On the Case with Paula Zahn on the Investigation Discovery channel.
Paula Wallace is president and co-founder of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal at The White House on January 2, 2025.
Paula Strasberg was an American stage actress. She became actor and teacher Lee Strasberg's second wife and mother of actors John and Susan Strasberg, as well as Marilyn Monroe's acting coach and confidante.
Paula of Rome (AD 347–404) was an ancient Roman Christian saint and early Desert Mother. A member of one of the richest senatorial families which claimed descent from Agamemnon, Paula was the daughter of Blesilla and Rogatus, from the great clan of the Furii Camilli.
Paula Poundstone is an American stand-up comedian, author, actress, interviewer, and commentator. Beginning in the late 1980s, she performed a series of one-hour HBO comedy specials.