Paola
Paola is a girl name of Italian origin meaning “Small, humble”, pronounced PAH-oh-lah. It ranked #1260 in the United States in 2025, given to 178 babies, and peaked at #301 in 1999. Common nicknames: Pao, Pali, Lola.
How popular is Paola in the United States?
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
What does Paola mean, and where does it come from?
Paola is the Italian and Spanish feminine of Paolo, from the Roman family name Paulus, "small" or "humble" — the name the apostle took after his conversion. It is a standard name across Italy, Mexico and Colombia, and a royal one in Belgium, where Queen Paola was born a Roman princess. American records hold it from 1950; it entered the top thousand in 1983 and peaked in 1999, carried by Spanish-speaking families. Two syllables in Italian, three in Spanish, and clear in both.
How is Paola used around the world?
Paola is used in 3 languages worldwide, with 11+ international variants.
Male FormPaolo
Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.
What are the nicknames for Paola?
Famous People Named Paola
- Paola Cortellesi — Italian actress and film director
- Queen Paola of Belgium — queen consort of the Belgians
- Paola Suárez — Argentine tennis player and doubles world number one
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Sibling Name Ideas for Paola
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Paola mean?
Paola is a girl name of Italian origin meaning "Small, humble." Paola is the Italian and Spanish feminine of Paolo, from the Roman family name Paulus, "small" or "humble" — the name the apostle took after his conversion. It is a standard name across Italy, Mexico and Colombia, and a royal one in Belgium, where Queen Paola was born a Roman princess.
How do you pronounce Paola?
Paola is pronounced PAH-oh-lah. Common variations include Paula, Paolina, Pavla.
Is Paola a girl name?
Yes, Paola is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Pao, Pali, Lola.