Paulsen is a Danish, Norwegian, and German patronymic surname meaning "son of Paul". The given name Paul itself derives from the Roman family name Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble" in Latin. As a surname, Paulsen follows the common Scandinavian naming tradition of adding -sen (meaning "son") to a father's given name, resulting in many patronymic surnames that became hereditary in the late 18th to 19th centuries.
Paulsen is particularly prevalent in Denmark and Norway, where patronymic surnames are widespread. In Norway, surnames ending in -sen are the most common type; Paulsen ranks among the top 50 most common surnames in the country. The name also appears in Germany, especially in northern regions near the Danish border, where the spelling Paulsen (rather than the variant Pauls or Paulßen) reflects Danish influence.
Notable Bearers
Several individuals bearing the surname Paulsen have achieved recognition in various fields. In sports, Axel Paulsen (1855–1938) was a Norwegian figure skater who invented the Axel jump, one of the most iconic elements in figure skating. Also from Norway, Edvin Paulsen (1889–1963) was a gymnast who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. In the arts, Albert Paulsen (1925–2004) was an Ecuadoran-American actor known for his roles on television and stage. In U.S. politics, Erik Paulsen (born 1965) served as a U.S. Representative from Minnesota from 2009 to 2019. Another prominent figure is Frederik Paulsen Sr. (1909–1997), a Swedish-German medical doctor and founder of Ferring Pharmaceuticals; his son Frederik Paulsen Jr. (born 1950) is a billionaire businessman who chairs the company. The physicist and professor Wolfgang Paulsen (1900–1975) was a German author on scientific topics.
Distribution and Variants
The surname Paulsen is most concentrated in Denmark, Norway, and Germany, with significant diaspora communities in the United States, Canada, and other areas with Scandinavian immigration. Variants across Europe include Boghosian (Armenian), Pavlov (Russian), Boulos (Arabic), and Pavić (Croatian), all derived from forms of Paul through different linguistic paths. In Scandinavia, the feminine patronymic form Paulsdatter (daughter of Paul) was historically used but is now rare. The name Paulsen continues to be commonly encountered, reflecting the name of a persistent Christian given name adapted to local naming patterns.
- Meaning: Son of Paul (Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble")
- Origin: Danish, Norwegian, German
- Type: Patronymic surname
- Usage Regions: Denmark, Norway, Germany, and their diaspora
Roots
Other Languages & Cultures
Sources: Wikipedia — Paulsen