Is Paulette a boy's or girl's name?

Paulette is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 65 recorded births.

When was Paulette most popular?

Paulette reached its peak popularity in 1948 with 2,579 births that year. It is currently ranked #1410 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Paulette?

Paulette is currently ranked #1410 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 46,947 babies since 1907.

Paulette

An uncommon French pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysFrenchRising fast Also a pet name

#1410▲ 164in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from French.

Paulette is a girl's and boy's baby name of French origin, a diminutive of Paule (the French feminine of Paul), from the Latin Paulus meaning 'small' or 'humble.' It was widely used in France and among French-speaking communities throughout the 20th century.

Paulette has a Parisian charm — it's the name of a bistro waitress in a Truffaut film, stylish and a little world-weary in the best possible way. As mid-century French names return to fashion, Paulette offers genuine Gallic elegance with grandmother warmth.

Compare Paulette with another name

Popularity Over Time

Paulette climbed 3171 spots in the last 20 years — from #4581 to #1410.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Paulette
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	674	#1585	▼
2010s	1,010	#2033	▲
2000s	403	#3764	▼
1990s	792	#2029	▼
1980s	1,227	#1186	▼
1970s	3,640	#600	▼
1960s	7,430	#339	▼
1950s	14,883	#213	—
1940s	15,902	#205	▲
1930s	591	#990	▲
1920s	314	#1470	▲
1910s	76	#2641	▲
1900s	5	#2312	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(113 years, 1907–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Paulette
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	158	#1410	+23 (17.0%)
2023	135	#1574	+4 (3.1%)
2022	131	#1620	+4 (3.1%)
2021	127	#1647	+4 (3.3%)
2020	123	#1674	-8 (-6.1%)
2019	131	#1623	+30 (29.7%)
2018	101	#1962	+31 (44.3%)
2017	70	#2537	-8 (-10.3%)
2016	78	#2407	-18 (-18.8%)
2015	96	#2054	+12 (14.3%)
2014	84	#2251	-11 (-11.6%)
2013	95	#2047	+10 (11.8%)
2012	85	#2227	-45 (-34.6%)
2011	130	#1650	-10 (-7.1%)
2010	140	#1572	+95 (211.1%)
2009	45	#3606	-1 (-2.2%)
2008	46	#3571	-15 (-24.6%)
2007	61	#2959	+28 (84.8%)
2006	33	#4439	-2 (-5.7%)
2005	35	#4095	+5 (16.7%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Paulette as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Paulette has also been given to 65 boys in the U.S. since 1941.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1946

Peak year

Compare Paulette as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Paulette be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Paulette is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1410. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Paulette has two lives

Paulette, the baby name

#1410girls

46,947 babies

Currently viewing

Paulette, the pet name

#31703pet name

1 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1907–2024) · Methodology