Paulette is a female given name of French origin, derived from the French word "paul" meaning "small." It is often used as a feminine form of Paul, which has been traditionally associated with males in many languages and cultures. In France and other Francophone countries, Paulette was popular during the early to mid-20th century but has since declined in usage. Despite its historical popularity, Paulette remains relatively rare compared to other French-inspired names like Marie or Julie. It is often spelled as Paulette, but variations such as Paquette or Poulette can also be found.
"The name Paulette experienced varied popularity throughout these years, peaking at nine births in 1946 and consistently ranking among the top ten girls' names from 1943 to 1955, with a total of sixty-five births recorded during this period."