Pauline is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Roman family name Paulus, which was derived from the Latin word "paulus" meaning "small." The name Pauline has been used throughout history and has been associated with several notable individuals.
One of the earliest known uses of the name Pauline was in ancient Rome, where it was a popular name among the nobility. It was also commonly used during the Middle Ages in Europe, particularly in France and Italy.
The name Pauline gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Victorian era, when it became fashionable to give children classical Latin names. This trend continued into the 20th century, and Pauline remained a popular choice for girls throughout much of the century.
Today, Pauline is still used as a given name, although its popularity has waned somewhat in recent years. It remains a classic and timeless choice for parents looking for a name with a strong historical pedigree. Overall, the name Pauline has a rich history and a meaning that carries a certain elegance and simplicity.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Pauline has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. The name first appeared in significant numbers in the early 20th century, with more than five births recorded annually from 1910 onwards.
The peak of popularity for the name Pauline occurred between 1926 and 1936, a period that saw consistent highs in the number of newborn girls named Pauline. In particular, the years 1927 and 1928 saw the highest numbers of births with this name, with 35 and 33 respectively. This trend continued until 1937 when the popularity of the name started to decline.
After World War II, the name Pauline experienced a significant decrease in popularity. From 1940 onwards, there were fewer than ten newborn girls named Pauline each year. The lowest point was reached in 1956 with only five births recorded that year.
The usage of the name Pauline has remained low ever since, with the exception of brief periods of slight increases. For instance, from 1963 to 1964, there were six and seven births respectively with this name. However, these numbers remain considerably lower than the peak years in the early 20th century.
In total, over the span of these statistics, there were 775 newborn girls named Pauline in the United States. This data shows how trends in naming practices can change over time and how a once-popular name like Pauline can become less common over generations.