Paola

Meaning of Paola

Paola is the feminine spin on Paolo, itself rooted in the ancient Latin Paulus, meaning “small” or “humble,” yet everything about the name feels grand—like a sun-drenched piazza where laughter hangs in the air. Born in Italy, Paola danced effortlessly across the Spanish-speaking world, gathering the warmth of olive groves, carnival confetti, and whispered prayers to Saint Paula, the spirited early-Christian patron of widows and travelers. In the United States she has moved with a gentle tide: never crashing the Top 100, but glimmering year after year—proof that subtle charm can outshine passing fads. Say it aloud, pah-OH-lah, and you hear a guitar chord resolving, a hint of espresso foam, a smile you can taste. Parents who choose Paola often picture a daughter who leads with heart, paints outside the lines, and greets life like a fiesta—humble in origin, but radiant in impact.