Paulina is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was itself derived from the Latin word 'paulus' meaning 'small'. This name gained popularity during the Middle Ages through its association with several early Christian saints named Paulina. Throughout history, it has been used widely among various cultures and languages, including Polish, Spanish, Italian, German, and French. Some notable individuals bearing this name include the Polish poet Paulina Kuraszkiewicz and the Mexican-American actress Paulina Rubio.
Paulina was quite popular as a baby girl name in 1999 with five newborns sharing it that year.