Paola

Origin and meaning of Paola

Paola is the feminine of Paolo, from the Latin paulus, 'small, humble' — a name that turns humility into a virtue, tied to the apostle Paul. Borne by saints such as Saint Paula of Rome, a disciple of Saint Jerome, it is hugely common in Italy, Spain and Latin America. It matches the forms Paula, Paule and Paulina. Its bright simplicity and open, warm sound have made it, for generations, one of Italy's best-loved girls' names.

Variants around the world

How Paola sounds in other languages.

Famous people

• Santa Paola Romana— saint
• Paola Egonu— athlete