Pauline
From French Pauline, in turn from Latin Paulīna; in regular use since the 19th century.
Every Pauline since 1880 — 227,179 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Pauline
Pauline is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,986 in 2025 with 56 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 227,179 American babies have been named Pauline. Its peak came in 1918, when 7,238 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Pauline stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Pauline year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 56 | #2,986 | — | — |
| 2024 | 45 | #3,494 | — | — |
| 2023 | 63 | #2,752 | — | — |
| 2022 | 58 | #2,919 | — | — |
| 2021 | 49 | #3,287 | — | — |
| 2020 | 53 | #3,055 | — | — |
| 2019 | 50 | #3,211 | — | — |
| 2018 | 62 | #2,772 | — | — |
| 2017 | 60 | #2,830 | — | — |
| 2016 | 63 | #2,754 | — | — |
| 2015 | 78 | #2,371 | — | — |
| 2014 | 68 | #2,609 | — | — |
| 2013 | 64 | #2,719 | — | — |
| 2012 | 66 | #2,704 | — | — |
| 2011 | 68 | #2,633 | — | — |
| 2010 | 54 | #3,111 | — | — |
| 2009 | 56 | #3,081 | — | — |
| 2008 | 68 | #2,713 | — | — |
| 2007 | 95 | #2,128 | — | — |
| 2006 | 88 | #2,200 | — | — |
| 2005 | 114 | #1,736 | — | — |
| 2004 | 105 | #1,818 | — | — |
| 2003 | 150 | #1,356 | — | — |
| 2002 | 145 | #1,342 | — | — |
| 2001 | 129 | #1,463 | — | — |
| 2000 | 147 | #1,303 | — | — |
| 1995 | 212 | #897 | — | — |
| 1990 | 275 | #756 | — | — |
| 1985 | 238 | #724 | — | — |
| 1980 | 290 | #630 | — | — |
| 1975 | 340 | #520 | — | — |
| 1970 | 633 | #378 | — | — |
| 1965 | 873 | #306 | — | — |
| 1960 | 1,113 | #268 | 6 | #3,953 |
| 1955 | 1,351 | #221 | — | — |
| 1950 | 1,739 | #163 | 8 | #2,960 |
| 1945 | 1,975 | #125 | 8 | #2,709 |
| 1940 | 2,409 | #104 | 14 | #1,963 |
| 1935 | 3,076 | #80 | 20 | #1,576 |
| 1930 | 4,655 | #52 | 27 | #1,416 |
| 1925 | 6,728 | #38 | 21 | #1,728 |
| 1920 | 7,180 | #36 | 20 | #1,805 |
| 1915 | 6,334 | #32 | 11 | #2,411 |
| 1910 | 2,153 | #42 | 13 | #918 |
| 1905 | 1,381 | #54 | 9 | #903 |
| 1900 | 1,104 | #71 | — | — |
| 1895 | 734 | #76 | — | — |
| 1890 | 475 | #90 | — | — |
| 1885 | 254 | #109 | — | — |
| 1880 | 144 | #115 | — | — |
Famous people named Pauline
- Pauline Bonaparte Politician · 1780–1825
- Pauline Viardot Composer · 1821–1910
- Pauline Therese of Württemberg Politician · 1800–1873
- Pauline Moran Actor · b. 1947
- Pauline Collins Actor · b. 1940
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Pauline mean?
From French Pauline, in turn from Latin Paulīna; in regular use since the 19th century.
How popular is the name Pauline in 2025?
Pauline ranked #2,986 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 56 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Pauline?
227,179 babies have been named Pauline in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Pauline most popular?
Pauline peaked in 1918, when 7,238 newborns received the name.
Is Pauline a boy or girl name?
Pauline is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Pauline rising or falling?
Pauline is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Pauline?
Well-known people named Pauline include Pauline Bonaparte (politician), Pauline Viardot (composer), Pauline Therese of Württemberg (politician).