Paulette is a charming and distinctive female given name that originates from France. Its root lies in the French word "petit," which translates to "little" in English. Therefore, Paulette can be interpreted as meaning "little Paula," where Paula itself comes from the Latin word "paulus," meaning "small."
The name Paulette was quite popular during the early to mid-20th century, particularly in France and other French-speaking regions. It was often chosen by parents looking for a unique yet endearing name for their daughters.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Paulette who have made significant contributions in various fields. For instance, Paulette Goddard was an American actress known for her roles in films like "Modern Times" alongside Charlie Chaplin. Another notable figure is Paulette Coquatrix, a French concert promoter and the wife of Bruno Coquatrix, the director of the Paris Olympia from 1954 to 1978.
Today, while not as common as it once was, Paulette remains an attractive choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their daughters. Its charming sound and historical significance continue to make it appealing to those who appreciate classic yet distinctive names.
The name Paulette experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the century, with a total of 46,788 births recorded between 1907 and 2023. The name started relatively strong with 5 births in 1907, reaching its peak in the mid-1940s with 2,579 births in 1948. However, popularity declined steeply afterwards, dropping to just 143 births in 1988 and remaining below 200 births per year for most of the late 20th century. In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence in popularity, with over 100 births recorded each year since 2017.