The name Paula ranked 576th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 95th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.
This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.
Though Paula was used among early Christians, no doubt to honor St. Paul, it was not used widely in English-speaking countries until the 20th century. In the interim, it was mainly identified as a German name.
Paulina, another ancient Latin name, did come into use among English speakers in the 19th century; however, as Paula increased in popularity in Britain and America, the French forms Pauline and Paulette joined it in eclipsing the older name.